Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke’s First Friendly Rivalry

Tonight’s matchup against former teammates Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw is one for the books. However, the Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher and Dodgers ace have different thoughts about facing each other, according to ESPN.com.

“I don’t really look forward to it,” Kershaw told reporters. “You almost just try to block it out. It’s not fun to pitch to people that you know. I’m not good at separating that. I think I’m just going to have to really focus and think about it like he’s another guy, and then, the next day I can talk to him.

“Guys that you became pretty good buddies with — it’s not easy for me. I wouldn’t say I’m not looking forward to it, but I’m definitely going to have to block it out a little bit,” said Kershaw.

On the other hand, Greinke is looking forward to see watch his former teammates’ excellence.

Greinke told Steve Gilbert, the Diamondbacks beat writer for MLB.com,”I want to face him, just to see how nasty he is.”

Clayton Kershaw vs Zack Greinke tomorrow at Dodger Stadium. Greinke told @SteveGilbertMLB "I want to face him, just to see how nasty he is."

— . (@THEREAL_DV) April 13, 2017

“He does do everything as perfect as you would want your pitcher to do — great mindset, great work ethic. I learned more about that than the actual pitching part of it. He’s pretty special,” Greinke told reporters.

Not only are both pitchers close friends, they are the highest-paid pitchers in MLB. Kershaw, 29, is worth $33 million in 2017 and Greinke edges out Kershaw with $34 million this season.

Friday night at Dodger Stadium will be the most expensive pitching matchup of all-time, with Clayton Kershaw ($33m) vs. Zack Greinke ($34m)

— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) April 12, 2017

During the 2013-2015 seasons, Kershaw and Greinke combined a 104-34 record with a 2.09 ERA and 1,327 strikeouts in 1,269 2/3 innings. Greinke then signed a six-year, $206.5 million deal with the Diamondbacks and now he faces Kershaw at Dodger Stadium for the first time in his career.

This is the first game of a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Los Angeles. Friday night’s game first pitch is set at 7:10 pm.