Dodgers pitchers and catchers reported to Camelback Ranch on Tuesday, and the first piece of news from camp was the least surprising of all. Clayton Kershaw, reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, will start opening day for the Dodgers on April 5 in San Diego.
Manager Don Mattingly informed Kershaw of the decision on Monday, and said there was also a possibility of Kershaw pitching the Dodgers' home opener on April 10 as well, as the Dodgers have an off day in between starts.
Asked what how he thought Kershaw could improve on last season, one of the best pitching campaigns in Dodgers history, Mattingly said he is just looking for consistency and for all of his players to try and continue to get better.
"Basically every time he pitches, the team he is pitching against knows they are facing one of the best pitchers in the game and last year the best pitcher in the game," Mattingly said. "He'll have more people tugging and wanting him to do this, that, or the other, and he's going to have to make sure he stays in balance to keep himself right."
Kershaw, who said for now his Cy Young Award sits on a table in his home while he figures out a place to put it, was happy to hear the news but downplayed it, saying he didn't care when he pitched but that it was nice to have something to look forward to.
In what could be described as a nod to BABIP and xFIP (Okay, maybe that was a reach) Mattingly noted that while Kershaw and Matt Kemp could improve this season, a little bad luck could affect their numbers.
"Clayton could go out and pitch better, and not have as many wins. Sometimes that's the way it goes. Matt falls into that too. He could go out and train the same way all winter long, come with the same attitude, work as hard, and the ball doesn't drop. Things may not fall his way."
Mattingly would not commit to the order of his starting rotation after Kershaw.
Kershaw said he would like improve his changeup this season, thought he also noted that he has tried to develop that pitch for years.
"It's been hard for me. I tried about ever different way. I definitely made some improvements last year with it," Kershaw said. "Some things come quicker than others, and the changeup is not one of those things. I'll just continue to work on it and not get frustrated with it."
When asked how he could improve on his 2011 season, Kershaw offered a simple and succinct answer that Burgess Meredith would love: "Win."
0 recs | 118 comments
I imagine Eric will at some point show Clayton
all these congratulation messages on his phone using the SBNation ap.
So Congratulations, Clayton! You’re the best : )
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
No starter angst this year, the obvious guy gets the call on Day 1. Nice, Donnie.
Little Blue Bicycle - February 21, 2012
Vinny just heard God laugh
Phil Gurnee - February 21, 2012
To add
Kershaw on avoiding a salary arbitration hearing:
“I wasn’t worried about it, but at the same time I’m glad it’s over with.”
Eric Stephen - February 21, 2012
I’ve already forgotten who opened for us last year. I know the big controversy in 2010 was Padilla but did Kuroda or Kershaw get the gig in 2011? I seem to remember something about Kershaw getting the home opener start.
I hope Clayton gets the road and home opener.
Phil Gurnee - February 21, 2012
Kershaw-Linecum I
JonWeisman - February 21, 2012
What a game
I want to just go back and watch every Kershaw-Lincecum start from last year.
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
How many scrub profiles are we doing before Kerhaw's profile?
Or are we ending spring training with him?
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
I love the scrub profiles
What do you need to be told about Kershaw that you don’t already know. Whereas, Lance Zawadzki – that’s the stuff of greatness.
JonWeisman - February 21, 2012
Seems our readers are not much interested in the fodder
Phil Gurnee - February 21, 2012
I'm enjoying them
for the reason thats Jon stated
nolander - February 21, 2012
Some of our readers drink AMFs or don’t drink Dr. Pepper (or don’t really drink at all). That doesn’t mean the site needs to change to cater to them.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
you honest to blog think Phil is gonna let a few naysayers change his path?
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
He put the Pioneer in Pioneer Chicken.
kinbote - February 21, 2012
Luckily I drink both so I feel super special and that I should be catered to ;)
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
Moar fodder please.
Grimjack - February 21, 2012
I never get enough when it comes to Kershaw :)
Plus I haven’t made any predictions for him yet, so I’m excited to do so, as I’ve been really close the last 2 years for him.
I hope there will be profiles for Withrow, Castle, and Kyle Russell, so I may be in the minority for those ones, haha.
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
Nope
Phil Gurnee - February 21, 2012
yet we've got a jamey wright profile
disappointment, thy name is Bobby.
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
But as long as he is the 40-man
there will be a day filled with Ramon Troncoso predictions
bhsportsguy - February 21, 2012
We keep the schedule confidential. Keeps you guys on your toes.
Michael White - February 21, 2012
reply fail below
That’s what I come to TBLA for, the spontaneity.
TBLA 2011 Postseason Prediction Champion
by Ivdown on Feb 21, 2012 11:47 AM PST up reply actions
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
Since we started with Kemp seems fitting that we end with Kershaw
Phil Gurnee - February 21, 2012
Definitely makes sense
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
That’s what I come to TBLA for, the spontaneity.
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
all of them
Eric Stephen - February 21, 2012
I guess I should put away my “Lillynsanity” poster…
fbihop - February 21, 2012 via mobile
he is gonna have a good year
nolander - February 21, 2012
If he does what he did at the end of last season, I’ll be ecstatic.
fbihop - February 21, 2012
If Kershaw gets the home opener
then I think Capuano will be the 2nd lefty in the pen until he debuts on 4/14 vs. SD.
silverwidow - February 21, 2012
Just added one sentence
Mattingly, though prodded a few times, would not commit to an order of his starting rotation 2-5 yet.
Eric Stephen - February 21, 2012
Is it assumed it will be:
Kershaw
Billingsley
Lilly
Harang
Capuano
That’s if they like the L/R/L/R/L alignment, or switch Capuano and Harang if it’s not a huge deal.
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
With three lefties there will always be back-to-back lefties in a five-man rotation. I think it makes more sense to have Cap-Kershaw back-to-back than Lilly-Cap, because it’s not like hitting off Capuano prepares you any better for Calyton.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
Can anyone name all 8 of the Dodger prospects on the 2006 Baseball America Top 100 list.
And I would like the list to have all 8 not just individual guesses.
bhsportsguy - February 21, 2012
from memory (be nice)
Ricardo Rodriguez
Ben Diggins
Joel Guzman
Willy Aybar
Hong-Chi Kuo
Jason Repko
Greg Miller
Chuck Tiffany
kinbote - February 21, 2012
sad to say
you have but one correct.
bhsportsguy - February 21, 2012
note that means
one correct answer.
bhsportsguy - February 21, 2012
I suck.
kinbote - February 21, 2012
My guess:
Kemp
Billingsley
Ethier
Kershaw
Laroche
Martin
Loney
Elbert
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
doh
this would be 2007, my bad.
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
You suck.
kinbote - February 21, 2012
for certain!
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
I need to learn how to change my tagline to reflect this.
kinbote - February 21, 2012
haha
Edit profile at the top (right I think) and in there your wish will be SBNation’s command
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
also I thought this was a game
with guessing, lol. Forget i was ever here.
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
6 are right
as you noted Kershaw was not around yet. Loney would make an appearance in 2007.
bhsportsguy - February 21, 2012
My excuse is that I’ve been in a child-induced time warp for the last six years.
kinbote - February 21, 2012
So replace Kershaw with Greg Miller (I think)
and Loney with…Guzman? It seems like it would be both of them, but you only gave Kinbote 1 right and he listed both.
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
Gotta be Jason Romano.
kinbote - February 21, 2012
Guzman, LaRoche, Bills, Kemp, Loney, Broxton, Ethier (don’t know if he was still an A), Navarro?
regfairfield - February 21, 2012
Saw the answer, Phil has been spreading false knowledge for a while.
regfairfield - February 21, 2012
Also there’s 9 guys, not 8.
regfairfield - February 21, 2012
Yeah - miscounted
stupid – Iphone screen size
bhsportsguy - February 21, 2012
The contest is invalid. No result will count :)
kinbote - February 21, 2012
Billingsley
Broxton
Laroche
Guzman
Aybar
Jackson
Loney
Hanrahan
Nolij - February 21, 2012
If there’s a 9th guy, Hu?
Nolij - February 21, 2012
I don’t know, why don’t you suggest someone?
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
Hu’s on 9th? No, wait.
berkowit28 - February 21, 2012
btw
In the last thread, it was Phil who mentioned Belisario (whom nobody had mentioned).
kinbote - February 21, 2012
Belisario for what?
Eric Stephen - February 21, 2012
Last bullpen spot.
kinbote - February 21, 2012
He’s got a 25 game timeout coming.
OB12 - February 21, 2012
Actually the Dodgers had 9 (8 from their system and 1 via trade)
7. Chad Billingsley, rhp, Dodgers – 2003 draft
19. Andy LaRoche, 3b, Dodgers – 2003 draft
26. Joel Guzman, ss/3b, Dodgers – International FA signee
42. Russell Martin, c, Dodgers – 2002 draft
55. Scott Elbert, lhp, Dodgers – 2004 – draft
63. Jonathan Broxton, rhp, Dodgers – 2002 draft
82. Blake DeWitt, 3b, Dodgers – 2004 draft
89. Andre Ethier, of, Dodgers – trade
96. Matt Kemp, of, Dodgers – 2003 draft
bhsportsguy - February 21, 2012
Considering Guzman is the only one who hasn't had any major league impact
not a bad group, if I do say. Damned good, even.
underdog - February 21, 2012
LaRoche, DeWitt and Elbert haven’t exactly lit up the major leagues. But five all-stars from that group is pretty impressive.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
The ’05 Suns actually had 6 future all-stars in Billingsley, Broxton, Hanrahan, Jackson, Kuo and Martin.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
In 2011, the Kansas City Royals had 9 players in the Top 100, I wonder how they will look 6 years from now
8. Eric Hosmer, 1b, Royals
9. Mike Moustakas, 3b, Royals
10. Wil Myers, of/c, Royals
18. John Lamb, lhp, Royals
19. Mike Montgomery, lhp, Royals
51. Christian Colon, ss, Royals
68. Danny Duffy, lhp, Royals
69. Jake Odorizzi, rhp, Royals
83. Chris Dwyer, lhp, Royals
bhsportsguy - February 21, 2012
They had 4 in the top 20 though
compared to 2. 3 in the top 10 compared to the 1
nolander - February 21, 2012
5 in top 20.
berkowit28 - February 21, 2012
whos counting?
nolander - February 21, 2012
I don't think any of them will have a 160 million 8 year contract
Or a cy young (Bills in 2012 ;) )
Ivdown - February 21, 2012
I guess Edwin Jackson had accumulated enough service time to fall of the list then, because I know BA was seriously drinking the EJax Kool-Aid.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
Community returns on March 15.
I am ridiculously excited.
fbihop - February 21, 2012
Does that mean Up All Night was canceled? Because then i can be double excited!
Nolij - February 21, 2012
It's only a half rejoice for me
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
Alan Sepinwall says it isn’t a bad thing.
fbihop - February 21, 2012
he’s right. Shows take hiatuses, and May is a more important sweeps month than February
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
No Parks and Rec becomes the new “on hiatus” show in a plan to kill all interest in the show so they can just air a two hour block of The Marriage Ref on Thursdays in piece.
regfairfield - February 21, 2012
five comedies, four spots. NBC has to kill one, right? Survivor style?
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
I’d say put The Office out of its misery but that’s the only show on NBC people watch.
regfairfield - February 21, 2012
The Office is still much better than Up All Night.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
I’d say there is a fair change The Office makes a House-ian (even Desperate Housewives-ian) announcement soon
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
Nah. Like reg said, it is the only thing on NBC that people watch. Besides The Biggest Loser and Sunday Night Football.
fbihop - February 21, 2012
Kevin becomes a robot. Maybe Phyliss gets a cell phone.
regfairfield - February 21, 2012
Pam can have a penguin baby
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
Robert California does something funny.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
Also good news
Whitney and Chelsea are being pulled for double episodes of this new show Bent
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
NBCs prayers have been answered.
regfairfield - February 21, 2012
I wonder if Amanda Peet will learn how to relax by nailing the contractor hmmmmm
regfairfield - February 21, 2012
I hear women are too god damn uptight these days, and all men are fucking barely toilet trained four year olds
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
What if the gender roles in that show were reversed?
Tommy Blackjack - February 21, 2012 via iPhone app
you’d have Whitney
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
Never seen it
Tommy Blackjack - February 21, 2012 via iPhone app
that’s probably for the best
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
this looks awful.
delias man - February 21, 2012
Yep. I’m ready to cancel it already.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
I thought Bent was OK. Not great, but it was my favorite of NBC’s sitcom pilots last summer.
JonWeisman - February 21, 2012
So NBC isn’t getting better anytime soon?
Nolij - February 21, 2012
I’m exhausted by everyone on Twitter complaining every single time an NBC sitcom takes a few weeks off, as if they expect each of these shows to air continuously through September to May despite getting only 22-24 episode orders.
JonWeisman - February 21, 2012
twitter sure likes to complain about stuff
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
the sitcom genre is dead like ken caminiti.
delias man - February 21, 2012
They both peaked in 1996.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
But Arrested Development was on the air from 2003-2006.
fbihop - February 21, 2012
way to slam it
nice
delias man - February 21, 2012
Careful…
Michael White - February 21, 2012
How does something like that get made into a TV show?
UCLADodger32 - February 21, 2012
“Remember Home Improvement? Have you seen Last Man Standing? Well you gave them money, and we have Amanda Peet.”
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
Screwsie???
Really? SCREWSIE??
David Young - February 21, 2012
I don’t know what this means.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
thank god regionals are almost over ; )
Josie Becker - February 21, 2012
sweet
nolander - February 21, 2012
i would bat Dee 8th
and go from 1st to 3rd or 2nd to home on a bunt by the pitcher. works for me in my video games.
funkyjam - February 21, 2012
I like it
Michael White - February 21, 2012
Clubhouse Confidential did an interesting segment on leadoff batters, bringing up that leadoff batters come up with the bases empty (and leading off innings) significantly more than the 2-4 guys. Essentially, the point was that you want guys who get on base without power because the power would be wasted. Brian Kenny basically said that Ozzie Guillen would be stupid to bat Jose Reyes leadoff, when Gaby Sanchez offensively profiles as a perfect #1.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
We should bat A.J. Ellis leadoff.
silverwidow - February 21, 2012
I think that would probably be the percentage play, but Mattingly is not the guy who would do it.
Nolij - February 21, 2012
I’ve always been a fan of this.
regfairfield - February 21, 2012
new post
http://www.truebluela.com/2012/2/21/2814719/javy-guerra-dodgers-closer-kenley-jansen
Eric Stephen - February 21, 2012
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