After a game on Saturday that didn’t end until 7 hours and 25 minutes after its scheduled start time due to a rain delay, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals are facing off in the series rubber match just 14 hours later.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed concern over another potential rain delay Sunday, but thus far first pitch remains scheduled on time for 10:35 a.m. PT.
The game lands on Clayton Kershaw’s scheduled start day, but the Dodgers decided to push him back until Monday to begin their series against the San Diego Padres for an extra day of rest. Kershaw is pitching with an injured shoulder, so the key is trying to manage it through their postseason run.
In lieu of Kershaw, the Dodgers are giving the ball to Ryan Yarbrough in his first start with the team. Yarbrough has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen in a long relief role since being acquired by the Dodgers at the trade deadline, but he has experience as a starter in his career as well.
The southpaw has made seven starts this year, throwing 38 innings with a 3.08 ERA, compared to his 4.58 ERA as a reliever in 35.1 innings. That has amounted to a 3.80 ERA across 73.1 innings total, with 48 strikeouts and a 1.09 WHIP.
Throughout his career, however, Yarbrough has fared better out of the bullpen, pitching to a 3.91 ERA in 296.2 innings compared to a 4.57 ERA in 356.1 innings when starting a game.
In five of his seven starts this season, the 31-year-old has allowed one run, while giving up three and five runs in the other two.
Also available for the Dodgers is Wander Suero, who was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City as Gus Varland was placed on the 15-day injured list with right knee inflammation.
The Nationals turn to Trevor Williams, who has been a journeyman back-of-the-rotation starter throughout his career and is now with his fourth club.
Williams has thrown 134.2 innings but has posted a 5.21 ERA with a 1.51 WHIP and only 102 strikeouts. He has given up five runs or more in four of his previous six starts, including eight earned over four innings his last time out.
The 31-year-old spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates before stints with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets, and now the Nationals. He is a combined 44-53 with a 4.42 ERA in 850 career innings.
The right-hander faced the Dodgers on May 29 when he allowed six runs (0 earned) in five innings to take the loss. He struck out three and walked three.
Austin Barnes is behind the plate to give Will Smith a day off, while Mookie Betts returns to the lineup after missing the first two games of the series because of a bone bruise.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: David Peralta
DH: Max Muncy
RF: Jason Heyward
3B: Chris Taylor
CF: James Outman
SS: Miguel Rojas
C: Austin Barnes
Nationals lineup
CF: Jacob Young
RF: Lane Thomas
DH: Keibert Ruiz
1B: Joey Meneses
SS: Ildemaro Vargas
2B: Michael Chavis
C: Drew Millas
3B: Carter Kieboom
LF: Jake Alu
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