After skipping over a scheduled start and utilizing Julio Urias as a reliever in the National League Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers hand the ball to their young lefty against the Chicago Cubs.
When Urias takes the mound Wednesday night in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series, he’ll become the youngest pitcher in MLB history to start a postseason game. “The pressure is always there,” Urias said Tuesday.
“It’s something that you have to deal with. I felt the adrenaline when I was on the bench, so I’m thinking that it’s something that I’m also going to feel.”
Urias faced the Cubs twice during the regular season. One of the starts was just the second of his young career and came at Wrigley Field.
He next saw the Cubs at Dodger Stadium at the end of August. “I’ve seen them twice, and that really helps,” Urias said.
“It makes me a lot more comfortable, especially being that the second time was here at home. I go in with that mentality and try to give the best.”
Urias has not thrown more than 3.2 innings since Sept. 2 and has thrown just two inning this postseason.
That came last week in Game 5 of the NLDS. He held the Washington Nationals scoreless, collected one strikeout and picked Bryce Harper off first base. Urias’ now-controversial pickoff move was back in the spotlight on Tuesday when Cubs manager Joe Maddon said it’s a blatant balk.
Although Urias’ primarily worked as a relief pitcher over the final month of the regular season, he heads into his Game 4 start without any limitations. “I feel good. I feel strong. I feel healthy,” Urias said.
“As long as my body allows me to, I go with the mentality of going out there and having a good game and given the opportunity a chance to come in after me and hopefully win the game.”
The Cubs tagged Urias for six runs (five earned) and slugged three home runs in his five innings of work. The 20-year-old responded by holding Chicago to one run over six innings the second time around.
Adding further intrigue to Urias’ start, he has the opportunity to aid the Dodgers in taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the NLCS.
