Prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers finishing their regular season schedule, manager Dave Roberts indicated the team was leaning toward having Jack Flaherty start in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
Doing so would bump Yoshinobu Yamamoto to making his MLB postseason debut in Game 2 at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. That also would amount to Yamamoto being available for only one NLDS game because of the Dodgers keeping him on a schedule of extra rest.
Despite potentially being limited by that factor, the Dodgers appear to be forging ahead with that order of starters for the NLDS. Walker Buehler and Landon Knack are rounding out of the Dodgers’ postseason rotation.
“Right now we’re planning on Jack in (Game) 1 and Yamamoto in (Game) 2,” general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday.
“Obviously, Buehler and Knack will play big parts in things, but haven’t really focused much time outside of Games 1 and 2.”
With Dodgers starters for Games 1 and 2 in place, what the team still is awaiting is their NLDS opponent. The San Diego Padres are one win away from eliminating the Atlanta Braves and advancing out of the NL Wild Card Series.
Dodgers NLDS starters
Game 1: Jack Flaherty
Flaherty went 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 10 starts after being traded to his hometown Dodgers at the deadline.
The right-hander faced hitters on Monday, which has him in line to start Game 1 on normal rest. If necessary, Flaherty could start a potential Game 4 of the NLDS on short rest (three days) or be held back for a possible Game 5 on an extra day between outings.
Game 2: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Yamamoto stretched out to five innings in his final start of the regular season, which was his fourth overall outing since returning from a right rotator cuff strain.
Yamamoto went 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 18 starts in his first Major League season.
The 26-year-old theoretically would be an option for the Dodgers if they play to a Game 5 of the NLDS, as that start would come on traditional normal rest by MLB standards.
Otherwise, Yamamoto would be ready for Game 1 of the NL Championship Series on Oct. 13, if the Dodgers advance.
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