The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading into the postseason with 75 percent of their starting rotation in place. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed this week what was long presumed: Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill and Kenta Maeda will start Games 1, 2 and 3 of the National League Division Series, in that order.
Julio Urias appears to have the inside track to start a potential Game 4, though Roberts wasn’t ready to commit to his 20-year-old left-hander. Roberts did acknowledge Urias will be on the NLDS roster “in some capacity.”
But, Urias may not be needed to start in the best-of-five matchup with the Washington Nationals. Los Angeles in theory could ask Kershaw to start on short rest. He’s done so in each NLDS from 2013-15.
However, Kershaw spent 75 days on the disabled list due to a mild disc herniation. It was only the second time in Kershaw’s accomplished career injury forced him to the DL.
“I think it’s definitely an issue,” Roberts answered Wednesday when asked about Kershaw’s back injury affecting a potential decision to bring his ace back on short rest in the NLDS.
“Obviously, with Clayton’s track record, and no one knows his body better than he does, I think that would be an honest conversation depending on where we’re at. I’m not prepared to have that yet.”
Should the Dodgers and Nationals reach a Game 5, Hill could start on regular rest. Though, that goes against the strategy Los Angeles has utilized to this point because of Hill’s blisters. He was scratched from a start against the Colorado Rockies and pushed back to Friday.
Roberts explained the decision afforded Hill with plenty of time to recover from his Sept. 20 start, and will serve the same purpose prior to Game 2 of the NLDS, which will be played Saturday, Oct. 8.
