Cardinals' Rotation Ace Unlikely to Face Dodgers in Domestic Opener

Once the Dodgers return from South Korea, they will have a week to prepare for their domestic home opening series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Los Angeles is scheduled to host the Cardinals for a four-game series beginning Thursday, March 28.

It will be the first regular-season series for St. Louis, and the Dodgers would love nothing more than to put them in a hole to start the season. There has already been some trash talk from St. Louis toward the Dodgers — nothing that L.A. can't handle. 

However, if the Cardinals want to make any noise against the Dodgers, they are likely going to have to do it without their ace. According to Gabe Lacques of USA Today, right-hander Sonny Gray will be sidelined for Opening Day.

"The St. Louis Cardinals gave Sonny Gray a three-year, $75 million contract to anchor their rotation. Yet Gray will be sidelined for one of the most symbolic acts of that designation: Starting on Opening Day."

— via Gabe Lacques of USA Today

Gray suffered a hamstring injury early in March and has been out ever since. He hasn't been officially ruled out, but there might not be enough time for the vetearn right-hander to prepare himself to make the start.

But as anticipated, it won’t allow for a significant ramp-up to make his Opening Day post in Los Angeles. The Cardinals have not yet placed Gray on the injured list, nor ruled him out for their opening two series in L.A. and San Diego, followed by their home opener on April 4.

— via Gabe Lacques of USA Today

Gray could still make his way into the Cardinals' pitching plans against the Dodgers, but nothing is guaranteed for now. If Gray isn't able to go against them in the series, the Dodgers might be catching a break to start their domestic regular season.