In Wood they trust: Giants turn to ex-Dodger in Game 3

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Alex Wood is coming home to start Game 3 of the NL Division Series at Dodger Stadium. For the Giants.

The ex-Dodgers pitcher gets the ball Monday night against Los Angeles ace Max Scherzer with the best-offive series tied at a game apiece.

“I look at it as a chance to prove something to myself,” Wood said Sunday.

Wood was a key member of the Dodgers’ bullpen in their run to the World Series championship last year after rejoining the team on a one-year deal.

“I don't think we win the World Series last year without him,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Wood became a free agent after the season and was eager to become a starter again.

“I could have come back here for sure,” he said. “But they got a lot of good young arms that are the future of the Dodgers.”

In January, he signed with the rival Giants.

Wood was 10-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 26 regularseason starts. In three outings against his former team, the left-hander had a pair of 1-0 losses and a no-decision. He pitched six innings in each of the first two outings, allowing two runs and four runs. In his third outing, he was tagged for three runs.

“They know me really well,” Wood said. “Just got to go out and execute, play the chess match.”

With so much familiarity between the Dodgers and Wood, Roberts said any edge comes down to the day.

“That's what's going to be fun, to see how it goes,” the manager said. "Is he going to go fastball to get ahead or is he going to throw a curve ball to steal a strike? In an even count is he going fastball to trick us or is he going to go with his strength, the changeup? Ultimately, it just comes down to execution.”