What was arguably one of the best-kept Dodgers secrets in recent memory was finally revealed on Monday afternoon when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed what a good many Dodgers fans already suspected – that 26-year-old left-hander Julio Urías would be the Dodgers starting pitcher for Game-1 of the 2022 National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday evening, earning the nod over 34-year-old 15-year MLB veteran left-hander and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, who will start Game-2 for the Dodgers on Wednesday evening.

“I think for us you could essentially flip a coin,” Roberts told reporters in a packed Dodger Stadium interview room. “They’re both aces in our eyes. I think that Julio has been fantastic for us all year. Kind of just making that decision to give him that opportunity, we all felt good about it.

“Hopefully we can get through the series. Then Clayton will be even more prominent in the next series. That’s kind of how it works,” Roberts added.

In his 31 starts during the 2022 regular season, the Culiacan, Mexico native and seven-year MLB veteran posted a 17-7 record with a National League-best 2.16 ERA for the NL West champs. Along the way, he struck out 166 while walking 41 in his 175.0 innings pitched.

“That’s the beautiful thing about this. You go through good things, some bad things, but at the end of the day, they were all opportunities to prepare you for this moment,” Urías said through an interpreter. “It’s a really nice sentiment and to take full advantage of it would be great.”

Kershaw, who was plagued by injuries for much of the season, still finished with a Kershaw-like 12-3 record and 2.28 ERA in his 22 starts, with 137 strikeouts and only 23 walks in his combined 126.1 innings of work, earning him his impressive ninth All-Star invitation.

Urías’ first pitch is scheduled for 6:37 p.m. PT at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday evening. He will oppose 31-year-old San Diego Padres right-hander Mike Clevinger, who finished the 2022 regular season with a 7-7 record and 4.33 ERA with 91 strikeouts and 35 walks.

Kershaw will oppose 36-year-old Padres right-hander Yu Darvish, himself a five-time All-Star who finished the 2022 campaign with a 16-8 record and 3.10 ERA with 197 strikeouts and 37 walks, at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 5:37 p.m. PT.

Both games will be carried by FS1 on television and AM 570 LA Sports on radio.

Play Ball!

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