Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has named Clayton Kershaw as the team’s Opening Day pitcher when the Dodgers oppose the Giants on April 1 at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw becomes the first Dodgers pitcher to throw three consecutive openers since Derek Lowe did it from 2005-07.

A season ago, the Pirates were kept in check for 7.0 innings as Kershaw allowed a run on four hits, striking out seven batters in a no-decision.

He would wait to collect his first victory of the season until his fourth start on April 21 in Houston against the Astros. A 14-9 record and a 2.53 ERA was the end result of his campaign.

The Giants are no stranger to opposing Kershaw on Opening Day. In 2011, he shut them out across 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing four hits, walking one and striking out nine batters.

His effort resulted in the first of 21 victories that year, with which he coupled a 2.28 ERA to win the NL Cy Young award.

In 17 appearances (16 starts), Kershaw is 8-4 with an unbelievable 1.37 ERA against the Giants, with a K:BB ratio of 4.70.