Kershaw, deGrom to meet in Game 1 of NLDS
Zack Greinke may be the front-runner for this year's National League Cy Young Award, but he won't toe the rubber for the Los Angeles Dodgers' playoff opener Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Southpaw Clayton Kershaw will receive the honor of opening the National League Division Series against the New York Mets, the team announced after clinching home-field advantage Saturday on another incredible outing from Greinke.
Kershaw, the reigning NL Cy Young winner and MVP, has struggled mightily in 11 career postseason appearances, posting a 1-5 record with a 5.12 ERA and 1.24 WHIP.
The Mets, meanwhile, will will open their first playoff series in 10 seasons with a 27-year-old sophomore on the mound.
Right-hander Jacob deGrom will start Game 1 after compiling a 14-8 record with a 2.60 ERA and 198 strikeouts across 187 innings. He's also been excellent when pitching on the road, going 8-4 with a 3.09 ERA while holding the opposition to a .237 batting average.
In his only opportunity against the Dodgers this season, deGrom was handed a no-decision despite tossing 7 2/3 shutout innings and striking out eight.
As expected, the Mets announced Sunday that Noah Syndergaard and Matt Harvey will start Game 2 and 3, respectively.
Los Angeles secured home-field advantage in the NLDS with its 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday.