Dodgers-Pirates opening series at a glance

At PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Monday, 10:35 a.m.: Vicente Padilla (12-6, 4.46 ERA in 2009) vs. Zach Duke (11-16, 4.06)

Wednesday, 4:05 p.m.: Clayton Kershaw (8-8, 2.79) vs. Ross Ohlendorf (11-10, 3.92)

Thursday, 9:35 a.m.: Chad Billingsley (12-11, 4.04) vs. Paul Maholm (8-9, 4.44)

On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 790, 930.

2009 series: Dodgers, 4-3.

Opening-day facts: The last time the Dodgers and Pirates faced each other on opening day was in 1955, when the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn. The Dodgers head into the season looking to win their third consecutive division title for the first time in franchise history. The Pirates have won their last three opening days; they haven’t won four in a row since the end of World War II.

Of note

The Dodgers went into Pittsburgh in late September needing two victories in four games against the last-place Pirates to clinch the NL West title. They won only once.

Dropping the last two games of the series, the Dodgers were forced to take their champagne supply with them to San Diego and back home to Los Angeles. The Dodgers beat second-place Colorado in the penultimate game of the regular season to clinch the division crown.

Vicente Padilla will start his 12th major league season by doing something he’s never done before: start on opening day. The assignment caught even Padilla by surprise, as he said he expected to be the club’s No. 3 or 4 pitcher.

The Dodgers’ road games this month are in Pittsburgh, Miami, Cincinnati, Washington and New York — all places where there is potential for rain at this time of the year. If a rain delay cuts short the day of any Dodgers starter, their bullpen depth could be severely tested, particularly with Hong-Chih Kuo on the disabled list and Ronald Belisario in extended spring training.