Dodgers News: LA Officially Names Game 1 Starter for 2023 NLDS

The expected becomes official.

Clayton Kershaw will officially be taking the ball for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS. While Dave Roberts all but confirmed it last week, the Dodgers took to social media to make the announcement official following the completion of the Wild Card round.

Kershaw Day for NLDS Game 1. pic.twitter.com/ep7Dhp4udM

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 5, 2023

On Saturday, it'll be Kershaw taking the mound against a team he's very familiar with in the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kershaw has thrown 273.1 career innings against Arizona in his career, sporting an impressive 2.80 ERA with 301 strikeouts.

Clayton Kershaw’s career stats against the Arizona Diamondbacks, including postseason:

45 GS
23-12 W-L
2.80 ERA
301 K
273.1 IP

The Dodgers ace will take the mound in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday at Dodger Stadium against an opponent he’s very familiar with.

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) October 5, 2023

Kershaw is likely to face Diamondbacks RHP Merril Kelly in Game 1, who was expected to pitch Thursday's Game 3 of the Wild Card round if Arizona got there. However, the Diamondbacks swept the Brewers, setting up a matchup with their NL West-rival Dodgers.

Kershaw will be taking his career 4.22 postseason ERA into Saturday's NLDS opener, hoping to lead this team to an important Game 1 win. Kershaw will be gutting through his shoulder issues, but said he's turning the corner and ready to make a solid Game 1 start.

With Kershaw going Game 1, Dodgers rookie Bobby Miller will get the ball in Game 2. Then, Game 3 is anyone's guess.

First pitch for Saturday's Game 1 has not yet been announced, but expect for it to be the nightcap of the quadruple header. For the full Dodgers' NLDS schedule and more information, you can click here.