As recent as two weeks ago, the series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals didn’t figure to carry much significance. But the Dodgers piled on losses at a historic rate, and suddenly home-field advantage and the best record in baseball are within reach for the Nationals.
They have already clinched the National League East, their fourth division title in the past six seasons. Manager Dusty Baker said at the time his team would not fully let off the gas, because of the possibility of catching the Dodgers.
Even before snapping an 11-game losing streak, Los Angeles made it clear Clayton Kershaw was not expected to start in any of the three games at Nationals Park. That held true even after his start this week was moved up one day.
Yu Darvish, the Dodgers’ presumed No. 2 starter come the playoffs, was on the mound in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants, so he too is missing the Nationals.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts denied any sort of gamesmanship and attributed the rotation decisions to what best suited his club. They aren’t alone in that regard, as the Nationals have Stephen Strasburg as the only notable pitcher lined up for the series.
He’s slated to start in the series finale that will be nationally televised by ESPN for Sunday Night Baseball. Gio Gonzalez and Max Scherzer each pitched in the series prior.
In what may be a preview of the NL Championship Series, an executive with another club highlighted Gonzalez as someone who could spell trouble for the Dodgers, according to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball
One thing that could derail the Dodgers, opines one rival, would be “a hot Gio (Gonzalez)” in the playoffs.
Gonzalez allowed three runs on four hits, including one home run, issued one walk and struck out four in Game 3 of the 2016 NL Division Series. He did not factor into the decision of a game the Nationals lost.
That was Gonzalez’s only time facing the Dodgers in the playoffs last year. He pitched six innings, allowed two runs on four hits and earned a win at Dodger Stadium in June of this season.
Hitting southpaws was a weak point for the Dodgers last season that has been corrected in 2017. They’re batting .253/.344/.449 with a .339 wOBA and 109 wRC+ against lefties. The Dodgers rank fourth in wRC+, sixth in wOBA and seventh in on-base plus slugging percentage (.792).
