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Dodgers: Making an Opening Day Case for Every Starter

By Michael Wittman |
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox hits the ball against Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox hits the ball against Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox hits the ball against Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Boston Red Sox hits the ball against Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

With news that the Dodgers will be without the services of Clayton Kershaw on opening day, here is a case for every Dodger starter to start opening day.

The Dodgers will officially be without the services of Clayton Kershaw who was ruled out of opening day yesterday.  This will be the first time since 2010 that Clayton will not toe the rubber on opening day for the Dodgers.  That was when Vicente Padilla and his soap bubble as Vin Scully called it, made the start in Pittsburgh.

First, let us take a moment to honor Clayton who had a streak of eight consecutive opening day starts from 2011-2018.  In today’s era, it is rare that a player spends eight straight years with one team let alone making that many opening day starts in a row.  With Kershaw no longer an option, here is a case for every starting pitcher to get the opening day start.

BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 24: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers the pitch during the second inning against the Boston Red Soxin Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 24: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers the pitch during the second inning against the Boston Red Soxin Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Hyun-Jin Ryu:  The case for Ryu is that outside of Kershaw, he is the longest tenured Dodger in the rotation.  He is back with the team after accepting the qualifying offer so this might be his last year in Los Angeles.  Giving Ryu the opening day nod would be a nice gesture for yet another good starting pitcher the Dodgers have brought to play in the big leagues.  Ryu is no stranger to openers as he started game one of the 2018 NLDS.

Rich Hill:  Outside of Clayton Kershaw, the pitcher known as D. Mountain may be the most popular starting pitcher on the team.  Hill has been a very consistent and quality starting pitcher for the Dodgers and the only thing that has slowed him down is blisters.  The crafty veteran is now thirty-nine years old so this could also be his last season in Los Angeles.  Giving him an opening day start would certainly fire him up.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 26: Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers the pitch during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 26: Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers the pitch during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Walker Buehler:  Buehler was officially ruled out of starting opening day last night.  He dealt with a dead arm period in spring training.  The Dodgers slow played his return and while he should make a start the first time through the rotation, it won’t be on opening day.  After shutting down the Red Sox in the World Series, no stage is too big for Walker and if he was able to pitch opening day he probably would’ve been the one to start.

Julio Urias:  Despite missing more than a year due to shoulder surgery, Urias will begin the 2019 season just twenty-two years old still.  Any concerns about Julio’s health have been eliminated this spring with his fastball velocity sitting around 94-96 miles per hour.  It’s unclear if Urias will start the season in the rotation due to his innings limit but no pitcher has looked as filthy as him this spring.

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 12: Ross Stripling #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 12, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 12: Ross Stripling #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 12, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Ross Stripling:  One of the more underrated pitchers on the Dodgers is Ross Stripling.  He has exhibited a team-first attitude during his time with the Dodgers by pitching in any role he is asked to.  “Chicken Strip” finally got some recognition around the league last season as he made his first all-star team by virtue of a strong first half in which he went 8-2 with a 2.08 ERA.

Although he struggled in the second half due to fatigue or tipping pitches, he still had another solid season for the Dodgers.  Even if Ross does not begin the season in the rotation, he is a near lock to make some spot starts at some point during the regular season.  Stripling is one of the “glue” pitchers on the staff and fills in wherever he is needed and always answers the call.

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Kenta Maeda:  Speaking of underrated, Kenta Maeda has also been a very underrated pitcher during his time in Los Angeles.  After signing a very team friendly deal due to shoulder concerns, Kenta has rewarded the Dodgers with more than they hoped for and also pitched in a variety of roles.  From starting pitcher to playoff set up reliever, Maeda has done everything asked of him much like Ross Stripling has.

Last season, the Dodgers relied heavily on Kenta when every pitcher in their starting rotation became bit by the injury bug.  He delivered a strong first half pitching to a 3.12 ERA before fading in the second half of the season.  Kenta is another pitcher who has put the Dodgers ahead of his own wants, and pitched in every role asked of him.  Giving him the opening day start would mean a lot for him.

Next. The Dodgers need to keep Kershaw from rushing back. dark

Regardless of who the Dodgers start on opening day, they will be sending a quality starter out to pitch even if it’s not Walker Buehler.  No team has better starting pitching depth than the Dodgers and this April they will flex their muscles without Clayton Kershaw.  If it were up to me I would start Ryu or Hill on opening day, both would be very deserving of the opening day start.

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