The Los Angeles Dodgers went into the National League Division Series with a postseason rotation that comprised of Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, Landon Knack and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
After some deliberation and a change in approach, the Dodgers decided on Yamamoto starting Game 1 against the San Diego Padres. That left Flaherty to take the ball in Game 2, and Buehler got the start in the first NLDS game at Petco Park.
Meanwhile, Knack’s place in the Dodgers rotation figured to be accompanied by an opener. However, with the Dodgers facing elimination in Game 4, they instead turned to a bullpen game and didn’t expect to utilize the rookie.
“We’re going to go with our most reliable relievers,” manager Dave Roberts said before the game.
“So I just don’t know how Landon is going to fit in this particular game. But it could happen later, certainly in a plus-plus game. But at the outset, I think we’re going to go with our most reliable guys.”
Roberts added, “I feel good kind of throwing a bunch of arms at these guys today, giving them different looks.”
Dodgers shutout makes postseason history
Ryan Brasier filled an opener role for the fifth time this year in what was his first career start in the playoffs. The right-hander got the Dodgers bullpen off on the right foot by retiring all four batters faced.
He was staked a 3-0 lead thanks to a Mookie Betts’ home run and RBI single, and Shohei Ohtani’s base hit that brought in a run within the first two innings of the game.
The Dodgers extended their lead in the third inning and broke the game open in the seventh. All the while a revolving door of relief pitchers kept the Padres at bay and quieted the Petco Park crowd.
The 8-0 win was the largest margin of victory in a shutout in Dodgers postseason history.
“Bullpen games are tough to navigate. Anything can go off track very quickly, but our guys, what an amazing performance up and down,” said Freddie Freeman who was scratched from the lineup because of his sprained right ankle.
“A lot of guys went one-plus (innings). It’s very hard to do, especially in a postseason game. Our guys did an incredible job and it sets up nicely for Friday.”
The group’s effort has the Dodgers considering another bullpen game for the winner-take-all Game 5 at Dodger Stadium. Though, Flaherty and Yamamoto also are both available to start as well.
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