The Los Angeles Dodgers began their final road trip of the regular season by taking two of three games from the Cincinnati Reds before defeating the Colorado Rockies in Tuesday’s series opener at Coors Field.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the Dodgers will be making their last stop at Chase Field for a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Manager Dave Roberts announced Tony Gonsolin will start in Friday’s opener, which pushes Clayton Kershaw back a day.
“I think the way we’ve lined it up, we like inserting Clayton and Gonsolin,” Roberts said. “I just think as we finish out the season, keeping everyone on their turn, gives us the best chance to win as many games as possible and sets us up for the postseason.”
Gonsolin’s start against the Diamondbacks will come on normal rest as he last took the mound on Sunday against the Reds. It was an outing in which he piggybacked Kershaw, logging 2.1 innings out of the bullpen.
Kershaw went five innings in his start against the Reds, allowing just one run on three hits with eight strikeouts.
If the Dodgers keep Kershaw on a normal routine after Saturday, he will make his final appearance of the regular season on Sept. 30 against the San Diego Padres. He then would be on track to start in the National League Wild Card Game on an extra day of rest if necessary.
Though, Max Scherzer figures to be the frontrunner to take the ball if L.A. finds itself in a one-game playoff.
The Dodgers’ pitching plans don’t figure to change even if they force a tie-breaking Game 163 against the San Francisco Giants on Oct. 4. “No, it really won’t,” Roberts said.
“The pitching is in line, guys in the ‘pen have been used properly. All I care about right now, to be quite honest, is beating the Rockies.”
Urias feeling ‘strong’ despite fastball velocity dropping
Julio Urias’ fastball velocity again was down in Tuesday’s start against the Rockies, but he isn’t concerned about it.
“I feel great. Physically, I feel great. I feel strong,” Urias said through an interpreter after the Dodgers’ 5-4 win in 10 innings.
“I don’t really have a good explanation for anything. I especially feel good after outings, which is really encouraging. As far as everything physically, I feel great.”
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