The Los Angeles Dodgers plan to start Lance Lynn against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
Although the Dodgers acquired Lance Lynn at the trade deadline to fortify their starting rotation, he went into the postseason without a set role for the NLDS. Manager Dave Roberts held a conversation with the veteran prior to the playoffs beginning to discuss maintaining some versatility in October.
Once the NLDS began, Roberts acknowledged Lynn was likely going to have a role in Game 3 on Wednesday but declined to share any other details. Ultimately, the Dodgers effectively chose Lynn over Ryan Pepiot or a bullpen game.
“I think for us, it’s a guy that’s been there before and really just kind of trusting the fact that he’s going to be there and pitch well and to have a group of arms behind him,” Roberts explained of the decision.
“I don’t know what that start’s going to look like, but I feel very confident. That’s why we got him. To come here and pitch big innings for us.”
Lynn went 7-2 with a 4.36 ERA, 6.16 FIP and 1.27 WHIP in 11 starts after being traded to the Dodgers. Overall this season he surrendered an MLB-worst 44 home runs that also ranks sixth-most all-time.
Although an announcement did not come until this week and Roberts left the door open for a bullpen role, Lynn making the Dodgers postseason roster for the NLDS essentially guaranteed he would start.
The 36-year-old has started 19 of 27 career playoff games, and hasn’t pitched out of the bullpen in October since the 2018 American League Division Series.
Wednesday’s start will be Lynn’s first since September 29, the opener of the Dodgers’ final game of the regular season. He was placed on bereavement leave the following day but returned to the team in time for their NLDS workouts.
Lynn pitched in an intrasquad game on October 5 and surrendered a home run to Mookie Betts.
Lance Lynn stats vs. Diamondbacks
Lynn is 6-1 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 14 career games (12 starts) against the Diamondbacks. However, he hasn’t faced them since the 2020 season.
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