The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Clayton Kershaw will start against the Washington Nationals in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. Julio Urias was named the probable, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts left open the possibility the ball would instead be handed to Clayton Kershaw.
That became all the more likely after the Nationals took a 2-1 series lead with a win on Monday. At the time, Kershaw potentially starting on short rest appeared unlikely when Game 2 was postponed to Sunday due to concerns over inclement weather.
The change now pushes Urias back to a potential winner-takes-all Game 5 at Nationals Park, with Rich Hill possibly serving as a reliever.
Kershaw wasn’t his usual self in Game 1 against the Nationals, laboring through five innings and allowing three runs. He tossed 101 pitches, but finished with seven strikeouts and did manage to limit the damage by working out of trouble on multiple occasions.
When he last started on short rest in the postseason, Kershaw threw seven innings of one-run ball against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Dodgers came away with a win to force a decided Game 5 at home, which they lost.
Over the past three postseasons, Kershaw has made three starts on three days’ rest. He’s thrown a combined 19 innings and posted a 1.89 ERA with 23 strikeouts to four walks. The Dodgers are 2-1 in those games.
Washington, who was also undecided on a Game 4 starter, selected Joe Ross ahead of fellow right-hander Reynaldo Lopez. The start is Ross’ first of his career in the postseason.
