Kershaw made just seven starts last season and jokes that he was tired of “taking up space.” This will be his 18th season with the Dodgers, tying Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the

There is little left for Kershaw to accomplish. He’s laid claim to three Cy Young Awards. He’s helped finally bring a parade back to Los Angeles for the Dodgers. That leaves nothing else to prove before he waltzes into Cooperstown. In that framework, it’s fair to wonder what could possibly be left to drive Kershaw back to the mound.

Enter Clayton Kershaw . The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner begins his 18th season with the franchise on Saturday, taking the mound for the first time in nearly nine months against the Los Angeles Angels.

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Yoan Moncada hit a first-inning home run and right-hander Jack Kochanowicz pitched into the seventh inning as the visiting Los Angeles Angels pulled off a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday to open a three-game series.