Oct 16, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs in game two of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Clayton Kershaw is the no-brainer decision to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day when the left-handed ace will tie a franchise record.
Kershaw, who is healthy after missing 2 1/2 months last season with a back injury, was officially named the starter by manager Dave Roberts on Saturday, tying him with Don Drysdale and Don Sutton with seven.
“It’s really special company,” Kershaw said. “You take a little bit of pride in wanting to do it every year. I’m thankful to get to do it so long for the same team. Not a lot of people get to do that. It’s pretty cool.”
Kershaw will make his seventh consecutive Opening Day start when the Dodgers begin the season at home against the San Diego Padres on April 3.
“Obviously Clayton will be the starter and do what he does,” Roberts said in Glendale, Ariz. “I’m looking forward to having all of us there in Los Angeles.”
Kershaw has a 0.93 ERA in his six Opening Day starts, going 4-0 as the Dodgers won all of those games.
“Any time you get to do it is special. … It’s always fun to get the season going and to be a part of it,” said Kershaw, who turns 29 on March 19. “I hope I get to do it for 10 more years. I don’t feel old, but getting to do it seven times, I guess I’ve been around a little bit.”
Kershaw, a three-time National League Cy Young Award winner, was having another superb season in 2016 when he was shut down with a herniated disc in his back after losing in Pittsburgh on June 26. He was dominant before his injury, posting an 11-2 record with a 1.79 ERA.
Kershaw returned to the starting rotation in September and finished the regular season 12-4 with a 1.69 ERA in 21 games. He was 2-1 with a 4.44 ERA in the postseason with his first career save. For his career, Kershaw is 126-60 with a 2.37 ERA.
