The guy who is a slam dunk future Hall of Famer and the guy who Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently called the biggest surprise of spring training 2019 made their respective 2019 debuts on Thursday night.

Thirty-one-year-old longtime Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw and 21-year-old Dustin May, who could very well replace him in that prestigious role, were the Opening Day starters for the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City Dodgers and their Double-A affiliate Tulsa Drillers respectively; Kershaw as part of a rehab assignment, and May because… well, he’s just that good.

Kershaw, who did not make even one start this spring, was on a very strict innings limit / pitch count of four and 60. He actually ended up going 4.1 innings, while making a total of 61 pitches in a very economical – and productive – first start.

“It was a good first step,” Kershaw told reporters following his debut outing. “I kind of got through everything I needed to, got up for that fifth inning, got some guys on base, worked out of the stretch, did multiple different things.”

In his 4.1-inning debut, the Dallas, Texas native and Dodgers 2006 first-round draft pick out of Highland Park High School allowed two runs on four hits, while walking two and striking out six. One of those hits was a solo home run on his first pitch of the second inning. Then again, Dodger fans need to remember that this was technically Kershaw’s first spring training start against San Antonio Missions (Brewers) players who, for the most part, were in major league camp for the entire spring. Dodger fans also need to remember that Kershaw’s outing was to test his left shoulder, for which he was shutdown for most of spring training. In other words, it was more about his health than results, which weren’t all that bad anyway.

“I came out of it feeling good, ready for the next one,” Kershaw said optimistically.

Although there was no radar gun on the MiLB.TV television broadcast of Kershaw’s start, it was reported that he was consistently in the high 80’s with his fastball and hit the 90-MPH mark at least once. But here again, it was technically his first actual start since Game-5 of the World Series on October 28, 2018.

As for Dustin May, the young right-hander and fellow Texan (Justin) was nothing short of brilliant in his season debut on Thursday night. The blazing redhead and Dodgers third-round draft pick in 2016 allowed only two hits through five shutout innings, while walking one and striking out nine. He finished his night by striking out the side, having made a total of 74 pitches.

Although only 21 years old, there is every reason to believe that May will soon be promoted to Triple-A OKC and could very well see action with the major league club this season. (You heard it here first).

Go Dodgers … and Drillers!

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