Dodgers’ Kershaw ‘likely possibility’ to start Game 4

ARLINGTON, Texas — Clayton Kershaw is a likely possibility to start Game 4 of the National League Championship Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers if the left-hander’s back continues to improve, manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday

Kershaw was scratched from the Game 2 start because of back spasms, and Roberts decided to stick with left-hander Julio Urias for Game 3 against Atlanta on Wednesday night. Game 4 of the neutral-site series in Texas is Thursday night.

“Every day it’s been better,” Roberts said of Kershaw’s back. “I can’t just sit here right now and say he’s going to start tomorrow. I think if it progresses the way it has, it’s a likely possibility. But again, this is making sure Clayton feels good tomorrow when he wakes up and the training staff gives us our blessing as well.”

Following losses by the Dodgers in the first two games, the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner threw in the outfield before Game 3.

Kershaw pitched a few miles from his hometown of Dallas for the first time in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against San Diego, giving up three runs in six innings for his clubrecord 11th career postseason victory in LA’s 6-5 win.

Roberts said Kershaw threw an aggressive bullpen session Tuesday and left it feeling good.

“He’s in a good head space,” Roberts said. “I just know that we’re in a better place than we were yesterday. What that means, I don’t know quite yet.”

Braves’ Freeman in lineup a day after getting hit by pitch

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman was in his normal spot in the Atlanta lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS on Wednesday night, a day after getting hit by a pitch on his right elbow.

Manager Brian Snitker said Freeman, who got hit late in Game 2, felt good after treatment overnight.

“I knew they have machines and all of that kind of stuff that they have, and they treated it pretty much all night,” Snitker said. “He feels good, so that’s a good thing.”

Edwin Rios was in the Dodgers’ lineup for the first time in the NLCS after missing the NL Division Series with a groin injury sustained in the wild-card round. Rios started at third base with Justin Turner serving as the designated hitter. Joc Pederson went from DH in Game 2 to left field, with AJ Pollock not in the lineup.

Johan Camargo started at third base in his 2020 postseason debut for the Braves, with Austin Riley moving to left field and Nick Markakis not in the lineup. Camargo, who was 0-for-15 batting in the 2018 NLDS for Atlanta against the Dodgers, was added to the roster Tuesday in place of Adam Duvall (left oblique injury).

Freeman, a favorite for the NL MVP Award, homered in both games as the Braves took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven NLCS. Alex Wood hit him with a pitch in the eighth inning Tuesday night.