:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/10703941/153329679.0.jpg)
The opening day roster is pretty much set for the Dodgers and will be finalized by Sunday at noon, and while Sunday is an off day we can still look ahead to opening day, the opening series against the Giants. Here are the game times and pitching matchups for the three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
Monday, 1:10 p.m. PT (Prime Ticket, ESPN)
Clayton Kershaw vs. Matt Cain: Kershaw is 8-4 in his career against San Francisco with a sparkling 1.37 ERA, with 127 strikeouts and 27 walks in 118 innings. Kershaw has also yet to allow a run on opening day, with 10 scoreless innings combined the last two seasons. Cain began his career 0-8 against the Dodgers with a 4.32 ERA in his first 14 career starts against them, but since then is 4-0 with a 2.20 ERA in nine starts.
Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. PT (Prime Ticket, MLB Network)
Hyun-jin Ryu vs. Madison Bumgarner: Ryu, who ended his spring by retiring 23 consecutive batters, makes his major league debut against the Dodgers' bitter rivals. But Ryu didn't sound fazed by the prospect of facing the defending World Series champions.
"They are the World Series champs, but at the same time they are last year's World Series champions and not this year's," Ryu said. "I am excited to face a top-caliber team but I don't think much beyond that."
The lefty Bumgarner has given both Andre Ethier (1-for-13 against him) and Adrian Gonzalez (2-for-11 with a double) a tough time.
Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. PT (KCAL, ESPN2)
Josh Beckett vs. Tim Lincecum: Beckett was cruising this spring until his last two spring starts were nearly identical in their putridity. Beckett allowed seven runs, including two home runs, in four innings in each of his last two spring starts, but makes his first regular season start in the series finale. Lincecum is coming off the worst season of his career, and a spring that saw him put up a 10.57 ERA in five starts, though he did have 16 strikeouts to go along with his eight spring walks and 18 runs allowed in the Cactus League.