Although Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the club was likely to start Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, followed by Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 2, the final decision was the opposite.
When Ryu takes the mound against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night, it will mark the first time Kershaw did not start for the Dodgers in their first game of the postseason since 2009. Strategically, the decision affords both pitchers with an extra day of rest before their outing.
Though Kershaw is in unfamiliar territory, he was who broke the news to Ryu. “We didn’t necessarily have a deep conversation but yesterday when I came in to work out, I asked Kersh if he was going to start Game 1, and he told me I was going to start Game 1 and he was going to start Game 2,” Ryu said through an interpreter.
“From that point on, I was more focused on making sure I could do well.” Ryu admitted being included on the Dodgers’ postseason roster was “definitely huge.”
He last was in this position in 2014. “From this point on every single game will be important and will have more meaning, not just for me but for my entire team,” Ryu said.
In explaining how the Dodgers aligned their NLDS rotation, Roberts pointed to Games 1 and 2 essentially being of equal importance. And with that, he has faith both Ryu and Kershaw will pitch well.
Being entrusted with the all-important start in a series opener has further boosted Ryu’s confidence. “I’m very happy that the team trusted me and I would like to say that I’m going to go full throttle from the very first pitch in the very first inning,” he said. “Make sure that I get my job done as the starting pitcher and put the team in the position where it can win.”
Other than a groin injury that required a lengthy stint on the disabled list, Ryu had nothing short of an impressive campaign in 2018. He finished 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA in 15 starts, including a 5-2 mark and 1.15 ERA in nine outings at Dodger Stadium.
