With their blowout win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers not only advanced to their first World Series in 29 years but also ensured Dave Roberts will manage the NL team in the 2018 MLB All-Star Game.
The Midsummer Classic will take place at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, July 17. The last Dodgers skipper to manage the NL in an All-Star Game was Tommy Lasorda in 1989.
Roberts will become just the sixth manager in franchise history to lead the NL in an All-Star Game, joining Leo Durocher, Burt Shotton, Charlie Dressen, Walt Alston and the aforementioned Lasorda.
In addition to Roberts joining rarified air within the organization, Clayton Kershaw figures to get a serious look as the potential starting pitcher for the NL during next year’s exhibition game.
Despite all of Kershaw’s accolades over the course of his illustrious career, he has yet to be tabbed as a starter in an All-Star Game.
Injuries and snubs in recent years have prevented the three-time Cy Young Award winner from accomplishing the feat. Assuming Kershaw stays healthy and pitches like he’s accustomed to during the first half next season, there’s a good chance he’ll be able to add this achievement to his long list of accomplishments.
Kershaw stated this past July that he would love to start in a future All-Star Game. The 29-year-old owns a career record of 144-64 with a 2.36 ERA, 2.60 FIP and 1.00 WHIP in 1,935 innings.
This season, Kershaw once again led the league in wins (18) and ERA (2.31) with 202 strikeouts to 30 walks in 175 innings pitched.
Kershaw enjoyed a successful NLCS against the Cubs, where he posted a 2.45 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 11 innings (two starts). He earned the deciding win in Game 5 at Wrigley Field and is next expected to take the mound at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday in Game 1 of the World Series against the Houston Astros.
