Having previously named Clayton Kershaw the Opening Day starter, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had yet to set the remainder of the starting rotation. That changed Saturday, when Roberts announced Trevor Bauer would start the second game of the Opening Series.
He will be followed by Walker Buehler, then Julio Urias in the four-game finale against the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers are poised to select from Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and David Price for a fifth starter.
The order of Kershaw, Bauer, Buehler and Urias is how the Dodgers have the pitching staff currently aligned for Spring Training. Roberts repeatedly cited off days and time ahead when recently asked if there was anything to read into that order already being in place.
Kershaw, Bauer, Buehler and Urias will all take the mound at Coors Field on an extra day of rest. “I’m pumped up for it,” Bauer said of the regular season. “It’s been a while since I’ve played meaningful baseball. I’m just excited to get back out there because I love it.
“I love competing, I love coming together with a group of guys and going and trying to win a ballgame, try to win a division and win a World Series. That all starts here very soon and I’m excited for it.”
Buehler is scheduled to pitch in a simulated situation during a workout at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. Urias is slated to start in Monday’s exhibition Freeway Series game.
Whoever the Dodgers settle on as their fifth starter will face the Oakland Athletics in the opener of a three-game set. In aligning their first four starters in the order Roberts set, Buehler is also on track to start the home opener against the Washington Nationals.
Kershaw ‘excited’ for Opening Day
After struggling in his final tuneup, Kershaw was focused on moving forward and beginning the Dodgers’ title defense. “I don’t have a choice, so I’m going to be ready,” he said of Opening Day.
“I’m excited to get going. I really am. I’m excited to get there, have that adrenaline, those butterflies and get going again. I’m excited about it.”
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