Dodgers' Kershaw to start team-record 8th season opener

Barring an injury in spring training, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will start his franchise-record eighth season opener when Los Angeles begins its 2018 season.

Kershaw will turn 29 just 10 days before the Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants to open the regular season on March 29, the left hander's 11th year since debuting for the team at age 20 in 2008.

Assuming the three-time Cy Young Award winner Kershaw is healthy on Opening Day, he will surpass Don Drysdale and Don Sutton for the most season-opener starts in team history. The last Dodger other than Kershaw to start on Opening Day was Vicente Padilla in 2010.

Manager Dave Roberts revealed the news to reporters on Tuesday, the first official day as pitchers and catchers reported to spring training at Glendale, Ariz.

Kershaw, a seven-time All-Star and 2014 National League MVP, comes off another excellent season on the mound when he finished 18-4 with a 2.31 ERA in 2017. The southpaw has been especially dominant in his Opening Day starts with a 0.99 ERA, 52 strikeouts and just six walks in 45 2/3 innings.

For his career, Kershaw is 144-64 with a 2.36 ERA in his 10 MLB seasons.

--Field Level Media