The Los Angeles Dodgers postseason rotation once appeared to have a surplus of options but now is projecting to be short of viable starters who are fully stretched out for the National League Division Series.
With Walker Buehler out for the year after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery in addition to right flexor tendon repair, and Tony Gonsolin still on the mend from a right forearm strain, the Dodgers then lost Dustin May to the 15-day injured list on Saturday due to lower back tightness.
Prior to the onslaught of injuries, the Dodgers faced a decision on likely moving a starting pitcher into the bullpen — at least for the NLDS. Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney were speculated as the most likely candidates.
That no longer appears to be a luxury, particularly with Anderson.
“Tyler is going to start,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know what game, but he’s earned it. He deserves it.”
Anderson is 15-4 with a 2.52 ERA, 3.40 FIP and 1.01 WHIP through 28 games (26 starts) in his first season with the Dodgers. He began the year pitching in a piggyback arrangement with Gonsolin, but was moved into the rotation when Heaney suffered his first shoulder injury and has remained in that role.
Roberts has often spoken highly of Anderson, including after his start against the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier this month.
Anderson was scheduled to start the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals but was pushed back to receive extra rest. The outing on Tuesday will be just his second since Sept. 12 due to going on the paternity list.
Dodgers postseason rotation order
The Dodgers starting rotation order for the playoffs has not been publicly disclosed, but most presume Julio Urías will get the ball in Game 1 of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium. He likely would be followed by Clayton Kershaw in that scenario, and in turn it lines up Anderson to start Game 3 on the road.
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