Rookie starters take mound with World Series trip at stake
Game 7 of the National League Championship Series in Arlington, Texas became MLB’s first winner-take-all postseason game matching rookie starters when the Dodgers chose Dustin May to start against the Braves on Sunday night in a game that ended too late for this edition. The Braves had previously announced that Ian Anderson, above, the 22-year-old right-hander who had pitched 152⁄ scoreless innings in his first three
3 postseason starts, would start with them trying to get to their first World Series since 1999. Manager Dave Roberts didn’t reveal his pitching plan until Sunday, with May starting for the second time in the series. The 23 year-old right-hander from nearby Justin, Texas, threw 55 pitches over two innings in Game 5 on Friday night. The Dodgers were trying to win their third NL pennant in four years. The Braves were seeking their first World Series appearance since 1999, when they lost to the Yankees in four games. Chris Taylor was back in Dodgers lineup Sunday, batting ninth and playing second base after injuring his right ankle on a throw from left field late in Game 5 on Friday. Joc Pederson was the designated hitter. The Braves used the same batting order for the third game in a row.