GLENDALE, Ariz. — Walker Buehler has been the Dodgers’ choice to start big games for the past four seasons. Now he will also be their choice to start first games.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Buehler will start the team’s season opener April 8 in Colorado. The Dodgers will open with five games on the road and an off day, meaning Buehler will also be lined up to start the home opener April 14 at Dodger Stadium.
“I think right now is the time for him to take the ball on Opening Day,” Roberts said.
“For what he’s done over the last few years, to get to this point, we knew, we hoped that it was gonna happen at some point. I just think the timing is perfect. … I think it’s making up for maybe the last couple years that he didn’t get to be the Opening Day starter. So this is going to be special for him.”
Clayton Kershaw had started nine of the previous 11 Opening Day games for the Dodgers, missing out in 2019 due to a shoulder injury (Hyun-Jin Ryu started in his place) and 2020 due to a minor back injury (Dustin May was a late replacement).
“Obviously his run here of Opening Days here and being as good as he’s been is something that we’re all extremely envious of and look up to him in a lot of ways,” Buehler said. “It’s kinda cool to be the next guy that does it.”
A year ago, Roberts had a meeting with Kershaw and Buehler to talk to them about the Opening Day start, with Kershaw later saying he didn’t want a “charity” start on Opening Day. This time, Roberts said he just told Buehler whose reaction was “a shoulder shrug and a thanks … which is perfect.”
Related Articles
Dodgers’ Gavin Lux willing to ‘bounce around’ again to be part of lineup
Gavin Lux, Miguel Vargas hit HRs in Dodgers’ first win of spring
Freddie Freeman makes his Dodgers spring debut
Dodgers hit 3 home runs but lose to Reds, 10-8
Dodgers’ Chris Taylor had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow
Buehler was the Dodgers’ starter for their home opener last season when the team received their World Series rings for the 2020 championship during a lengthy pre-game ceremony.
“I think we all dream of getting to the big leagues and I think, for me, everything else besides that has been icing on the cake,” Buehler, 27, said. “It’s a cool opportunity and an honor and I’m looking forward to it.
“We’re all excited to get going with the regular season and to be the first guy to take the mound is a cool thing.”