Because of the MLB lockout, the revised 2022 Los Angeles Dodgers schedule now begins Friday, April 8, with a matchup against the Colorado Rockies. It marks a second consecutive season the Dodgers are playing at Coors Field on Opening Day.
L.A. originally was due to face the Rockies for an Opening Series at Dodger Stadium, but those games — along with contests against the Arizona Diamondbacks — were rescheduled throughout the year.
When they do begin the 2022 season, the Dodgers are doing so with Walker Buehler as their Opening Day starter. Buehler is taking the ball in a season opener for the first time in his career.
Meanwhile, the Rockies named Kyle Freeland their starter, which caught the left-hander by a bit of surprise, per Thomas Harding of MLB.com:
“I was pretty shocked — I didn’t expect to get that news when Buddy [Black, Rockies manager] told me, but I’m happy,” Freeland said. “That will be my second Opening Day start. I’m excited to take it on and get the season rolling.”
Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela will start the next two games of the series against the Dodgers.
Freeland’s only Opening Day start to this point in his career was a 6-3 win in Miami on May 28, 2019. He allowed one run on two hits and collected five strikeouts over seven innings.
The Denver, Colorado, native previously faced the Dodgers in a home opener for the Rockies on April 7, 2017. In what was also his MLB debut, Freeland held the Dodgers to just one run over six innings. He finished with six strikeouts and earned the win in a 2-1 victory.
Kyle Freeland’s career vs. Dodgers
The 28-year-old is a lifetime 3-7 with a 4.09 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 16 starts against the Dodgers. The San Francisco Giants are the only club Freeland has faced more in his career (17 starts).
Freeland went 1-2 with a 3.24 ERA against the Dodgers last season. A left shoulder strain prevented him from facing L.A. in the Opening Series.
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