Padres: Mike Clevinger will reportedly start Game 1 of NLDS

According to several reports, Mike Clevinger will start Game 1 for the Padres against the Dodgers in the NLDS.

Mike Clevinger has reportedly pushed on the front office, indicating that he’s good to go for Game 1 of the Padres NLDS matchup with the Dodgers. The 29-year-old will get the start tonight.

Obviously, having Clevinger back is a huge boost for this team, but you have to hope that he’s healthy enough to pitch. He was shut down near the end of the regular season with bicep tightness, and an MRI revealed to be an elbow sprain.

He missed all three games of the Wild Card series against the Cardinals, despite throwing a 23-pitch bullpen session. From that, he was deemed not ready to pitch, which is kind of fishy, given that just days later he’s ready to go.

Still, if he goes out there and shoves a talented Dodgers lineup, all rumors about his health will be put to bed. The Padres are also hoping that Dinelson Lamet will be ready for the NLDS. Mookie Betts and Max Muncy are the only two players that have faced Clevinger in their careers. Like most opponents, Betts has done well off the Padres ace, hitting .571 in 7 at-bats with a triple and 4 RBI.

We hope he doesn’t injure himself to the point where the 2021 season could be in question.