When the Los Angeles Dodgers returned to Dodger Stadium for Game 6 of the World Series, it was with a mindset of having most pitching options available. The lone exception was Yu Darvish, who was held back for a potential Game 7 that eventually became a reality.
Although he was only two days removed from throwing 94 pitches over 4.2 innings, Clayton Kershaw informed Dodgers manager Dave Roberts he was willing to pitch out of the bullpen in Game 6. Roberts preferred to hold his ace back for a winner-take-all contest, and managed to do so.
Also still available is Alex Wood, who last pitched on Saturday at Minute Maid Park. Furthermore, the traditional group of Dodgers relievers is in relative good standing after an efficient night backing Rich Hill.
With Kershaw and Wood available, Roberts suggested he may deploy Kenley Jansen earlier than usual if circumstances dictate it, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
With Kershaw and Wood in the bullpen, Roberts indicated Kenley Jansen could appear in middle innings to face top of Houston order.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) November 1, 2017
When the postseason began, Jansen said he was willing to pitch in any scenario for the sake of putting the Dodgers in better position to succeed. He was only expected to pitch one inning in Game 6, but wound up converting a six-out save on just 19 pitches.
Potentially using Jansen during the middle innings is not a foreign concept. He entered in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the National League Division Series last year, then gave way to Kershaw for the final two outs.
Jansen then appeared in the sixth inning of Game 6 of the 2016 NL Championship Series, and went three scoreless innings.
Kershaw has minimal experience pitching in relief in the postseason, while Wood is well-versed in the role.
