Buehler gets Game 1 start, then Kershaw will follow
ARLINGTON, TEXAS >> T he Dodgers will rely on the same threesome in their star ting rotation that got them to the National League Championship Series – Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and “optionality.”
odgers manager Dave Roberts said that Buehler will start Game 1 against the Atlanta Braves today, with Kershaw getting the assignment in Game 2, the same way the Dodgers began each of their two previous playoff rounds.
As far as Games 3, 4 and ( potentially) 5 – they will cross that bridge when they come to it. As they were in the three-game NL Division Series sweep of the San Diego Padres, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urias could appear in relief before they make a start later in the series.
“I just don’t think that it makes sense for us to close optionality in Games 1 and 2 and 3 and 4,” Roberts said. “So I think that for us – we know (the starters in Games) 1 and 2 and I honestly don’t know who 3, 4 and 5 are.
“I think that until we need to answer that question – I’ll feel good about it, but right now I just don’t feel the need.”
In the NL DS, May pitched two scoreless innings in relief in Game 1, then started Game 3 but pitched only one inning. It was a way to maximize his impact on multiple games, Roberts said, instead of limiting him to one game as a starter.
Urias has pitched once in each of the first two postseason series, appearing as a “bulk” innings pitcher in relief of another starter. He has been effective in that role, allowing just one unearned run on four hits and a walk while striking out 11 in eight innings.
The left-hander could appear in a similar swing role in this series, Roberts indicated.
“Absolutely,” he said. “He’s going to pitch very meaningful innings.”
Gonsolin was set to start Game 4 if the Padres had extended the NLDS, but he has not pitched in a game since Sept. 26 (the nextto-last game of the regular season). He was scheduled to throw four or five innings in a simulated game to Dodgers hitters on Saturday, Roberts said.
FANS IN STANDS >> The Dodgers and Braves will play in front of a paying crowd for the first time this season.
Approximately 11,500 tickets have been made available to the public for each of the NLCS games (and the World Series).
Tickets were sold in “pods” of four and no seats will be within 20 feet of a spot on the field, dugout or bullpen where any player could be located. Masks are mandatory except when fans are “actively” eating or drinking in their seats. Officials are expected to have the roof at Globe Life Field open for all of the games unless the weather makes that impractical.
Similar arrangements have been used to allow a limited number of fans into stadiums for college and pro football games over the past month.