February 20th, 2019 at 9:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Earlier this week, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked – in jest – if he had an Opening Day starting pitcher lined up against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on March 28. Roberts answered – in jest – “We do have an Opening Day starter.” He was then asked – in jest – who it would be, to which the Dodgers skipper replied “I’m going to wait a couple days, but I think we’re thinking the same thing … we should be thinking the same thing. I think its gotta make sense. It’s not official yet but I think we know.”
On Tuesday morning and to the surprise of absolutely no one, Roberts announced that seven-time All-Star, five-time ERA title winner, three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, former NL MVP, former MLB Player of the Year and Gold Glove winning left-hander Clayton Kershaw would open the 2019 campaign for the Dodgers for a franchise record-setting ninth consecutive time, presumably again Dbacks ace right-hander and Kershaw’s former teammate Zack Greinke.
“It just means I’m old, I guess,” Kershaw kidded with reporters on Tuesday, following Roberts’ announcement. “I mean, you don’t ever want to make light of the situation. It’s very cool. The cliche is it’s just another game, and it is. But I guess Opening Day means a lot, symbolizes a lot of different things. I’m excited about it. It will be cool.
“Being on the same team for that long, getting to do that with the Dodgers, a team with such a long list of great starting pitchers, to kind of be associated with them, is pretty special.” he added.
In his eight previous Opening Day starts, the 30-year-old Dallas, Texas native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2006 is 5-1 with an insane 1.20 ERA. In his combined 52.2 Opening Day innings pitched, he has allowed only seven runs on 32 hits, while walking eight and striking out (wait for it…) 59. Of those 32 total hits, only two were home runs.
In other words, there is no one – absolutely no one – that the Dodgers want on the mound on Opening Day more than future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. End of story.
Play Ball!
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I’ll probably get over the complete surprise by opening day.
The surprise will be how long he goes. I’m guessing MAYBE six, if he is under 70 at five.
Ron, I got news for ya, and it was an easy guess and perhaps rightfully so that CK is the OD starter. But I believe we might also know who the OD starter for the Dbacks will be….his name is Robby Ray…a LHP! And I also would not be surprised to see Roberts and Co. put out a ‘platoon’ lineup as a result.