Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - Dodgers manager Joe Torre announced Wednesday that 21-year-old Clayton Kershaw will open Los Angeles' National League Division Series against the Phillies on Thursday. Kershaw, in his second year in the big leagues, pitched to a minuscule 2.79 earned-run average but managed just an 8-8 record in 31 appearances -- 30 starts in 2009. He missed several weeks in September with a shoulder injury. The left-hander averaged less than six innings per start in the regular season but held the Cardinals to two runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings in Game 2 of the NL Division Series, which the Dodgers won in three games. Randy Wolf was LA's Game 1 starter in the NLDS, but it is not clear as to when he would pitch in this upcoming series. The Phillies have 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP Cole Hamels in line to start Thursday's tilt but have not officially announced a starter. |
