I will be the first to admit that I was wrong that a COVID-19-shortened season would actually happen.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts might be the second.

“You don’t have to look too far back to think that this day was ever going to happen,” Roberts told reporters, following Tuesday night’s pre-season exhibition game against the Angels of Anaheim after two against the Arizona Diamondbacks. “We got through this. Our guys are feeling good and healthy, and we’ve got Opening Day to look forward to. These guys have worked really hard to prepare, and I know they’re really excited.”

Roberts also named his starting rotation to begin the 60-game 2020 campaign.

As expected and for a franchise-record-extending ninth time, 32-year-old Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw gets the Opening Day start on Thursday, July 23, against the San Francisco Giants, opposite 34-year-old right-hander Johnny Cueto at a fan-less Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling will follow Kershaw against the Giants on Friday, with left-handers Alex Wood and Julio Urias against them on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

This is where things really get interesting.

Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler will round out the starting five, when he goes up against the Houston Astros on Tuesday, July 28, at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

“I think there’s a few things going,” Buehler said during his Zoom press conference on Tuesday afternoon. “Obviously, it’s the first game back, our first road game, and first one back against Houston, so…

“It’s exciting, I don’t really care what game I throw or who it’s against, but that one should be a good one, but we got four before that,” he added.

Play Ball! … For Real!

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