Dodgers: Dave Roberts on Clayton Kershaw’s chances for All-Star Game start

DENVER — Could there be a Hollywood story develop around this year’s MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium with Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw drawing the start for the National League? On Monday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibilities.

Could Clayton Kershaw represent the Los Angeles Dodgers on the mound as the National League starter in the 2022 MLB All-Star Game?

Before the Los Angeles Dodgers started a three-game series at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies on Monday night, Roberts was announced as one of the coaches for the National League when the Midsummer Classic comes to Chavez Ravine on Tuesday, July 19. That’s a little more than three weeks away, meaning the scheduling for starting pitchers heading up to the All-Star break is still a work in progress.

However, with Kershaw going 5-1 with a 2.00 ERA/2.44 FIP/0.911 WHIP in eight starts covering 45.0 innings, Roberts acknowledged that the 34-year-old southpaw is currently pitching at an All-Star level.

But could the cards fall in the right way for Kershaw to take the mound to open what should be a star-studded All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium?

“I think it would be fantastic,” Roberts said. “And I know some people have made thoughts about Julio (Urías) and being at home at Dodger Stadium with that fanbase would be amazing too. But Clayton is in a class certainly by himself. But he’s never been one to take a handout so I believe that he’s going to want to earn his way on this thing.

“Like I said the other day, if he goes out there and continues to pitch well, I think it would almost be a no-brainer for him to start the game. Brian (Snitker, Atlanta manager who will oversee the NL) gets that and understands that.”

If Kershaw keeps pitching as he has, he could well earn his place on the All-Star roster. However, Roberts said that he would not greatly manipulate the Dodgers rotation in order to make sure that Kershaw would be available for a start, even as juicy of a Hollywood story as that might be.

“To skip a start or something like that to compromise the Dodgers, we wouldn’t do anything like that,” Roberts said.

Roberts, however, did not rule out “adjusting a little bit” in the rotation if it would help Kershaw line up for the start.

“Maybe,” Roberts said when asked about the possibilities.

A lot would need to go right for Kershaw to start the All-Star Game, including the future Hall of Famer continuing to pitch at a high level in his starts before the contest (beginning with Tuesday night’s outing in Colorado). However, there is certainly a scenario in play where Kershaw throws the first pitch for the National League in the stadium he has called home for 15 seasons.