Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts formally announced Alex Wood will start a potential Game 4 of the National League Division Series. Corresponding to the making the decision official, Roberts added Hyun-Jin Ryu will not be included on the NLDS roster.
Roberts previously said the club would only carry Ryu in the playoffs in the event he was the fourth pitcher in the rotation. Although the southpaw made a successful relief appearance this season, Roberts deemed Ryu as not comfortable pitching out of the bullpen.
If Wood is to see the mound in the NLDS, he’ll face the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Dodgers would either be in position to advance to the NL Championship Series or be looking to stave off elimination.
Facing a bit of uncertainty was nothing new for Wood. He began the season filling a relief role because of the Dodgers surplus of starting pitchers. While Wood accepted his standing on the team, he expressed a strong desire to be part of the rotation.
Wood went 16-3 with a 2.72 ERA, 3.32 FIP and 1.06 WHIP in 27 games (25 starts) this season. The 26-year-old was an impressive 10-0 with a 1.67 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and averaged 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings across 15 games (13 starts) in the first half.
He slowed some in the second half and battled a second brush with left SC joint inflammation. After the All-Star break, Wood went 4-3 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and averaged 6.8 strikeouts per nine in 12 starts.
He did end the season on a positive note, however, going 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in his final three starts. Wood went 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA in four games (three starts) against the Diamondbacks in 2017, though sported a 5.06 ERA in two starts at Chase Field.
Prior to Wood, the Dodgers will start Clayton Kershaw in Game 1, Rich Hill in Game 2 and Yu Darvish in Game 3. The Diamondbacks named Taijuan Walker their starter for Friday’s series opener but have not gone any further.
Robbie Ray appears the likely candidate to start opposite Hill, with Zack Greinke taking the ball in Game 3.
Complete 2017 NLDS schedule included below. All games will be televised by TBS.
Game 1: Friday, Oct. 6, 7:31 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 7, 6:08 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 9, TBD, Chase Field
Game 4*: Tuesday, Oct. 10, TBD, Chase Field
Game 5*: Thursday, Oct. 12, TBD, Dodger Stadium
*If necessary
