GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A casually dressed Don Mattingly leaned back in his clubhouse chair admittedly much more relaxed his second time around as Dodgers manager.
Nobody will question that his first move of spring training is spot on: Mattingly wasted no time Tuesday choosing reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw as the opening day starter for Los Angeles come April 5 at San Diego — even if it’s a no-brainer to slot the 21-game winner at No. 1 in the rotation.
Mattingly and the Dodgers are bracing for another chaotic season considering the sale of the team is expected by April 30 and nobody knows exactly what will happen with new leadership at the top. Kershaw, for one, is rooting for former skipper Joe Torre’s group because he’s a familiar face.
