Julio Urias has been virtually decided as the starter for the Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is still silent about starting the opening game, but if you calculate the exhibition game rotation, Yurias will be the main character.
Director Roberts announced on the 22nd (hereinafter Korean time), “Urias will throw on Friday (local time).” It is a home demonstration game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch in Glendale on the 25th.
Urias participated as a member of the Mexico national team at the World Baseball Classic and advanced to the semifinals. He started in the quarterfinals against Puerto Rico on the 18th and was sluggish with 5 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts and 4 runs in 4 innings. Although they were hit with two home runs in the first inning alone, Mexico won 5-4 and advanced to the semifinals.
In this WBC, Urias appeared in two games and threw 9 innings, recording 7.00 ERA with 8 hits, 1 walk, 10 strikeouts and 7 runs. If you think of it as a kind of demonstration game, you don’t have to take the record seriously.
As planned by manager Roberts, if Urias plays against Milwaukee on the 25th, he can take a 5-day break before starting the regular season against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on the 31st. Then, Clayton Kershaw will take the mound the next day.
Kershaw said, “It feels great to have Julio start the Opening Day,” adding, “It’s natural for him to start, and he deserves it. Opening Day starts are very special to pitchers. The pitcher who threw the best in the previous season should do it, and Julio did last year. “he said.
Urias started 31 games last year and recorded 17 wins and 7 losses and an average ERA of 2.16, ranking third in the National League Cy Young Award voting. In 2021, he took top-level figures with 20 wins and 3 losses and an average ERA of 2.96, and then pitched like an ace for two consecutive years. Anyone can see that the current Dodgers ace is Yurias. Kershaw has no choice but to admit it.
Kershaw was placed on the disabled list twice last year, leading to health concerns. However, he pitched 126⅓ innings in 20 games, recording 12 wins and 3 losses with an earned run average of 2.28, showing off his top-level skills.
In an exhibition game against the Cleveland Guardians that day, he recorded 4 hits and 2 runs in 5 innings. Manager Roberts said, “I threw the best in this demonstration game. I especially liked the last inning.” 안전놀이터
Kershaw cheered for Yurias, saying, “If I didn’t want to play, I wouldn’t be here. I’m very excited about our team. We have a high chance of winning. Please look forward to the opening game at Dodger Stadium.”
Kershaw has already appeared nine times as an Opening Day starter. Following 2011-2018, 2021 was the last year. He was Walker Buehler last year. Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery in September of last year and is going through rehabilitation this year.
On the other hand, Kershaw strongly wanted to participate in the WBC as a member of the US team, but his wish was not fulfilled due to opposition from the insurance company ahead of the tournament.