It was really a formality at this point, but Dodger manager Dave Roberts announced that Clayton Kershaw would start the Cactus League opener on Thursday and start regular season game number one, April 4th in San Diego.
This will be Kershaw’s sixth consecutive opening day start. He’s been the only opening day starter the Dodgers have used since Vicente Padilla got the ball in Pittsburgh in 2010. The Dodgers have won each of the last five opening day contests by a combined score of 20-8.
Against the Padres on opening day last year, Kershaw was human, giving up three runs in six innings.