'Hopefully I don't screw it up': Clayton Kershaw starting 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium

LOS ANGELES – Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game became a match truly made in Hollywood on Monday when future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw was named the starting pitcher for the National League in the 92nd game, the first at Kershaw’s Dodger Stadium since 1980.

Kershaw, the 34-year-old three-time Cy Young Award winner and a 192-game winner over 15 seasons with the host club for this All-Star Game, received the nod after posting a 2.13 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP over 71 ⅔ innings. Kershaw, named an All-Star on nine occasions but not the starter until this year, missed a month with SI joint inflammation, but took a perfect game into the eighth inning of his final first-half start on Friday against the Angels.

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Kershaw’s lower inning count might have opened the door for Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, who leads the league in ERA (1.76) and innings (138 1/3) and ranks fourth in strikeouts (123). Instead, Alcantara will come out of the bullpen.

That won't be the case for two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who will not pitch due to workload concerns. Instead, Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan will start for the American League. McClanahan leads the major leagues in ERA (1.71) and WHIP (0.80) and tops the AL in adjusted ERA (212) and strikeout-walk ratio. He has not yielded more than two earned runs in a start since April 30.

Kershaw acknowledged that NL starters like Alcantara, Max Fried and teammate Tony Gonsolin have had superior first halves and that there’s some sentiment to the decision.

“They all have better numbers than me,” says Kershaw. “Hopefully I don’t screw it up too bad.”

Says NL manager Brian Snitker: “Because we are in Los Angeles, home of the Dodgers, Clayton’s name kept coming up. I think it’s just perfect he starts the game.”

Kershaw becomes the 13th pitcher to start an All-Star Game at home.

Ohtani started the 2021 game in more ways than one – he led off the AL lineup, going 0-for-2 at Coors Field, and also pitched a scoreless bottom of the first inning, maximizing the national window for his two-way greatness.

Ohtani’s budding legend was boosted yet again by making the team as both a designated hitter and starting pitcher, and then claiming the starting nod a second straight year. He has struck out 123 in 87 innings, ranking fourth in strikeouts despite making four fewer starts than most starters as the Angels manage his two-way load.

Baker says Ohtani’s camp indicated he’d prefer not to pitch in the game.

"As players, you want to promote the game. At the same time, the (outcome) doesn’t matter and it’s very important for (Ohtani) to be in a good spot for his team," says Yankees starter Gerrit Cole, who also won't pitch because he threw Sunday. "His team deserves that.

"If he’s not good to go tomorrow, you’ll just have to buy a ticket to see him in a couple days in Anaheim."

Kershaw gets the NL start in at least a nod to what he’s meant to the Dodgers and Los Angeles, his career spanning a stretch in which the Dodgers made the playoffs eight consecutive seasons, winning seven consecutive NL West titles and the 2020 World Series. He once again can become a free agent after this season.

Twins outfielder Byron Buxton was added to the AL lineup in place of Mike Trout, who has back spasms.

American League starting lineup

Starting pitcher: Shane McClanahan, LHP, Rays

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH, Angels

2. Aaron Judge, RF, Yankees

3. Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox

4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays

5. Giancarlo Stanton, LF, Yankees

6. Byron Buxton, CF, Twins

7. Tim Anderson, SS, White Sox

8. Andres Gimenez, 2B, Guardians

9. Alejandro Kirk, C, Blue Jays

National League starting lineup

Starting pitcher: Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers

1. Ronald Acuña Jr., RF, Braves

2. Mookie Betts, CF, Dodgers

3. Manny Machado, 3B, Padres

4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals

5. Trea Turner, SS, Dodgers

6. Willson Contreras, C, Cubs

7. William Contreras, DH, Braves

8. Joc Pederson, LF, Giants

9. Jeff McNeil, 2B, Mets

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clayton Kershaw, Shane McClanahan named MLB All-Star starting pitchers