by Rowan Kavner
Clayton Kershaw will start Opening Day for the reigning champion Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts announced Sunday.
It will be the ninth Opening Day start for Kershaw, who will extend his franchise record in the category when he takes the mound April 1 at Colorado.
“Opening Day’s a special thing, obviously,” Kershaw said earlier this month before the decision was announced. “Whoever gets to do that, it’s obviously an honor.”
After starting a team record eight straight Opening Days from 2011–18, Kershaw was expected to make it a ninth in 2019 before a shoulder injury put him on the injured list. Hyun-Jin Ryu ended up making that start, becoming the first pitcher other than Kershaw to start a Dodger opener since Vicente Padilla in 2010.
Last year, Kershaw was also lined up for Opening Day but was scratched with back stiffness. Dustin May ended up becoming the first Dodger rookie to start on Opening Day since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981. Kershaw returned immediately after his 10 days were up on the injured list and enjoyed one of his best seasons in years, going 6–2 with a 2.16 ERA and 0.84 WHIP.
The Dodgers had a number of options for this year’s Opening Day, including Kershaw, Walker Buehler, David Price and the newest addition to the rotation, Trevor Bauer.
“We all talked collectively,” Roberts said. “There’s really no wrong decision, I feel just that he’s earned it, he’s the right guy for the spot for 2021. For every reason, I just think it makes the most sense.”
Kershaw said both Opening Day and the home opener after winning the World Series for the first time in 32 years will be particularly special this year.
By starting on Opening Day, Kershaw would not be lined up to start the home opener on April 9 against the Nationals. But that means he would get to enjoy any pregame festivities to come for the reigning champions.
“There might be something to that, yeah,” Roberts said.
Kershaw is 5–1 with a 1.05 ERA in his previous eight Opening Day starts. Tom Seaver has the MLB record for most career Opening Day starts with 16.
Quick Hits:
- Cody Bellinger (shoulder) is expected to make his 2020 Cactus League debut Tuesday in center field. He might follow that in a designated hitter role Wednesday, Roberts said.
- Roberts said a “big wave” of cuts are expected Monday as the Dodgers trim down their spring roster ahead of the season.
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March 15, 2021 at 10:46AM
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