Arizona Diamondbacks pitching ace Patrick Corbin bought a used car with his first contract bonus and still lives in his parents’ basement in the off-season.

Now the man, too modest for nicknames, is determined to be the Robin Hood of the SCG by stealing from the rich and giving to the baseball-poor Australian public in next month’s historic MLB season-opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Although Corbin might earn more than most Australian sporting stars, last year pocketing $US494,000 ($A553,000), it’s still a lazy $US29.5 million less than the man he’s determined to clash with on the mound, Dodgers’ superstar starter Clayton Kershaw.

But despite the astronomical difference in salary, this is no mismatch.

Corbin last year became the eighth youngest All-Star in MLB history and is considered a future headline act in his own right.

On March 22 and 23 the entire baseball world will be watching, but Corbin won’t be changing a thing – and he hopes the Sydney fans will jump on board.

“Personally I thought the car was pretty nice and I actually still drive it today,” he said.

“You never know how long you’re going to be around the game. You’ve got to be smart around your money and if the day comes when you get a long-term deal or a contract, maybe you could spend more. But for now it’s all about baseball for me and getting my job done.

“I could tell by coming to Australia (last year) they are hard working people and root for the underdog it seems. They don’t take anything for granted and I just feel like that’s the Australian way.”

The SCG is set to undergo its biggest ever transformation ahead of the season-opening series, with tickets almost sold out.

Corbin has done his research and expects the cricket ground to be similar to the multi-purpose baseball and football stadium in Oakland, California, home to the A’s and Raiders – and favour pitchers.

The outfield is deep and there’s a large foul area down both the first-base and third-base lines – which means balls that would normally find the seats can be caught.

With the conditions in favour of the two left-armers, Corbin is keen to prove himself against arguably the league’s best strikeout pitcher, three-time All-Star Kershaw.

“(Kershaw’s) one of the best … to be the best you have to beat the best and to have him play for the Dodgers who are in our division, it’s a great opportunity,” Corbin said.

“You know it’s another great guy out there that’s going to have another great game and that makes you step up your game.”