The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to complete a sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series but fittingly now send ace Clayton Kershaw to the mound, still needing just one win to reach the World Series for the first time since 1988.
Thursday’s start is Kershaw’s third of the postseason, none of which have come on short rest. In each of the past four playoffs, the left-hander took the ball on short rest at least once in October.
“People have always said, you got hurt this season, so you’ve got to feel better. You’ve got to feel fresher,” Kershaw said.
“I don’t really feel any different any postseason. I think maybe last year with the usage I maybe felt a little bit towards the end, tired is not the right word, but maybe just a little bit taxed, maybe.
“But, yeah, I feel good. I don’t feel any different than when I feel normal. I feel normal, which is great.”
In Game 1 against the Cubs, Kershaw only pitched five innings and allowed two runs — on an Albert Almora Jr. homer. Kershaw has allowed a combined five home runs in 11.1 innings across his two playoff starts this year.
His outing at Wrigley Field is the first since Game 6 of the 2016 NLCS. Kershaw allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits, including two home runs, in five innings of the Dodgers’ elimination loss.
The Dodgers have won six of Kershaw’s last seven starts in the postseason. While it accounts for the regular season, the Cubs are 7-1 in Quintana’s last eight starts. The loss came when he started opposite Kershaw at Dodger Stadium in Game 1 of the NLCS.
Quintana has yet to earn a decision in any of his three postseason appearances (two starts). The southpaw has thrown 11.1 innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, and struck out 11 against four walks.
The Dodgers field a lineup with the expected batters to combat a left-handed pitcher, and the same players as Game 1. However, Justin Turner is now batting second, with Cody Bellinger slotted behind him. Moreover, Yasiel Puig was moved to the cleanup spot.
While Javier Baez snapped an 0-for-20 skid this postseason by slugging two home runs in Game 4, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are a combined 4-for-29 with 12 strikeouts and zero extra-base hits in the NLCS.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Chris Taylor
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
RF: Yasiel Puig
2B: Logan Forsythe
LF: Kiké Hernandez
C: Austin Barnes
SS: Charlie Culberson
P: Clayton Kershaw
Cubs lineup:
CF: Albert Almora Jr.
LF: Kyle Schwarber
3B: Kris Bryant
1B: Anthony Rizzo
C: Willson Contreras
SS: Addison Russell
2B: Javier Baez
RF: Ben Zobrist
P: Jose Quintana
