The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Hyun-Jin Ryu will start against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday in Game 1 of the 2018 National League Division Series. First pitch at Dodger Stadium is set for 5:37 p.m. PT. Clayton Kershaw is the probable for Game 2 on Friday.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had previously indicated Kershaw would get the ball in Game 1, with Ryu slated to start Game 2. The postseason start will be Ryu’s first since 2014, when he faced the St. Louis Cardinals, also in the NLDS.
Ryu was arguably the club’s best starter this season, as he went 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA, 3.00 FIP and 1.01 WHIP. He closed out the regular season on a three-game winning streak.
Had Ryu not spent an extended period of time on the disabled list because of a strained groin, it’s probably he would’ve been in the conversation for NL Cy Young.
The Dodgers’ decision is shocking on the surface, but it also entails Ryu and Kershaw each making their postseason start on five days’ rest. Ryu last pitched on Friday against the San Francisco Giants, and Kershaw took the mound the following afternoon at AT&T Park.
This nonetheless marks the first time since 2009 that Kershaw is not the Dodgers’ starter in the first game of the postseason.
Ryu will be opposed by Braves southpaw Mike Foltynewicz.
