Dodgers set pitching rotation to open season

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced his starting pitching rotation after Tuesday’s exhibition finale against the Angels. The rotation order beginning with Opening Day Thursday against the Giants is as follows:

• Thursday, July 23 vs. Giants: Clayton Kershaw
• Friday, July 24 vs. Giants: Ross Stripling
• Saturday, July 25 vs. Giants: Alex Wood
• Sunday, July 26 vs. Giants: Julio Urías

These four were pretty much known for the last week or so, with the only real question which of Wood or Urías would pitch first. Both had been pitching on the same days during intrasquad games, and on Monday night Urías pitched in an exhibition game against Arizona while Wood pitched a simulated game earlier in the day.

This rotation order means Wood will be pitching on four days rest and the other pitchers on five days rest.

Walker Buehler will start the Dodgers’ road opener, next Tuesday, July 28 in Houston against the Astros. But first he will pitch three or four simulated innings in a voluntary workout on Wednesday in Los Angeles.

“It’s our first road game, and first game back against Houston, so that’s exciting,” Buehler said on a conference call earlier Tuesday. “I don’t really care what game I throw or who it’s against, but that one should be a good one. But we have four before that.”

That also means a potential matchup of Kershaw vs. Justin Verlander in that series finale on Wednesday, July 29 in Houston, a matchup of multiple Cy Young Award winners. Kershaw is making his ninth opening day start for the Dodgers on Thursday, while Verlander starts Houston’s season on Friday, his 12th career opening day start.