Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers Opening Series Rotation: Ross Stripling Earns 5th Spot
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers Opening Series Rotation: Ross Stripling Earns 5th Spot

Matthew Moreno
July 22, 2020
4 Min Read
Ross Stripling, 2020 Spring Training
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Other than naming Clayton Kershaw the starter for Opening Day and confirming the club would operate with a five-man rotation to begin the season, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had not offered many details on order or who would replace David Price.

That changed after the Dodgers’ final exhibition game — a win against the L.A. Angels — when Roberts announced Kershaw would be followed by Ross Stripling, Alex Wood and Julio Urias in the Opening Series with the San Francisco Giants.

The way the Dodgers had aligned their starters during Summer Camp, the conceivable order initially appeared to be Kershaw, Stripling, Urias and Wood. Though, Urias and Wood were on the same throwing schedule and thus easily interchangeable.

As for filling the void created when Price opted out, Stripling had long been the apparent frontrunner. His work during the MLB shutdown period, coupled with the late arrival of Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May not being as stretched out, put Stripling a step ahead.

He also performed well and continued to flash an improved changeup that was the byproduct of a new grip. It’s a bit of redemption for Stripling, who believed Wood and Urias were named to the rotation a bit early back in spring.

“I was disappointed at the time because I remember wanting to feel like I had an opportunity to go earn a rotation spot, and I was being told that I would get that opportunity,” Stripling said earlier this month. “But Urias was announced before we even played a game in spring and Woody was announced a few days later.

“I felt that I didn’t really get a fair shake on trying to earn that spot. That’s not saying Julio and Alex didn’t deserve it. Heck man, we’ve got seven or eight guys that can be in our starting rotation, so it’s certainly not a shot at them. It’s just I expected it to be more of an ongoing battle for a position throughout Spring Training and it was announced just a few games in.”

Walker, Texas hurler

The Dodgers have an off day Monday but won’t use that to skip over Walker Buehler in the rotation. Instead, he’ll face the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, July 28. Kershaw is tentatively scheduled to start opposite Justin Verlander the following night.

The matchup is surrounded by plenty of anticipation because of history between the two teams in 2017 World Series. Some of that is lost on Buehler, however, as he was not playing for the Dodgers at the time.

“I think the guys that were there and on that team obviously feel even stronger than some of us who weren’t there,” Buehler said before Roberts officially set the rotation. “But there’s some sense of pride in going there and trying to play good baseball to come out of there with a couple wins.

“I think every game is important, especially in this format. So I think every game is huge and those are no different.”

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our shows, and more!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:2020 Opening Day2020 Opening SeriesAlex WoodClayton KershawJulio UríasLos Angeles DodgersRoss StriplingWalker Buehler
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Cody Bellinger
FeaturedGame Central

2022 NLDS Game 4 Preview: Dodgers On Brink Of Elimination; Cody Bellinger Remains Out Of Lineup

October 15, 2022
October 15, 2022
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler backs up a play at home plate
Game Central

Recap: Cody Bellinger Sets New Career High As Dodgers Break Franchise Record & Make MLB History; Walker Buehler Struggles In Loss To Marlins

August 15, 2019
August 15, 2019
River Ryan, FOCO
DodgerBlueFeatured

FOCO Selling River Ryan MLB Debut Dodgers Bobblehead

July 24, 2024
July 24, 2024
Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Corey Seager Ranked Top-10 Shortstop By MLB Network’s The Shredder Despite Coming Off Injury

February 14, 2019
February 14, 2019

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어