
The year was 2011. Clayton Kershaw, just 23-years-old at the time, would toe the rubber, throw his arms above his head and pitch on opening day for the first time in his career.
That same year, the young Kershaw would lead the majors in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. He had proven his worth and he won the Cy Young award.
In wouldn’t be the last time both of those things would happen. Since the 2011 season, Kershaw has not missed an opening day start and since that first Cy Young, he’s taken home two more. Kershaw vaulted himself from excellent to one of the best of all time.
This year, 2019, Kershaw will look to replace himself atop the list of active pitchers, hoping not only to get himself back into the Cy Young race but to win his team a world championship.
Dave Roberts more or less confirmed that Kershaw would open the season for the Dodgers although he did not directly use his name.
While I’d be foolish to not just say that Kershaw is the starter, part of me wants to think that Walker Buehler might be able to sneak in with an unbelievable spring training. Doubtful that he’ll do it, but I would like to think there is a chance.
Whether it is Buehler or Kershaw one thing is for sure, opening day will have an ace on the mound once more.