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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer 3y

Los Angeles Dodgers tab Clayton Kershaw to start Game 1 of World Series

MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Clayton Kershaw, who avoided an emergency relief appearance over the last two games of the just-completed National League Championship Series, will start Game 1 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Monday.

Kershaw, who will be making his fifth career World Series start, will oppose Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow on Tuesday (first pitch from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, is 8:09 p.m. ET).

Walker Buehler, who pitched on Saturday, will be pushed back to Game 3 for the Dodgers, giving him five days of rest and still lining him up to start a potential Game 7. The Rays have tabbed left-hander Blake Snell as their Game 2 starter, but the Dodgers are still uncertain, manager Dave Roberts said. His other three starters -- Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urias -- all pitched in Sunday's Game 7, and some might be counted on out of the bullpen in the World Series opener.

Kershaw was originally scratched from Game 2 of the NLCS because of back spasms but recovered in time to start Thursday's Game 4, allowing one run through the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. The 32-year-old left-hander made himself available out of the bullpen for Games 6 and 7, but Roberts wanted to avoid using Kershaw in hopes of saving him for a potential World Series opener.

Cody Bellinger is expecting to play behind Kershaw even though his right shoulder popped out of its socket during an emphatic celebration with Enrique Hernandez after his game-winning home run in Sunday's seventh inning. The Dodgers' center fielder said he feels "pretty good" and expects to be ready by Game 1, but Roberts said Bellinger's shoulder was "still a little bit sore" during Monday's optional workout.

Bellinger has experienced something similar at least three other times, he said, and Roberts said it's more of a concern hitting than it is playing defense.

"It was an exciting time, it was pure adrenaline -- a thing where you just black out," Bellinger said of his celebration. "Obviously I wish I didn't do it, but it was such a cool moment for me. It was just pure excitement."

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