The Los Angeles Dodgers have largely been in the enviable position of being able to set their starting rotation as desired since the postseason began.
Despite needing to play in the Wild Card Series this fall, the Dodgers set their starting pitching so that Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto would start the first two games against the Cincinnati Reds. If it went to a winner-take-all Game 3, Shohei Ohtani was waiting in the wings.
The Dodgers also had Tyler Glasnow available for a potential bullpen appearance in the Wild Card round.
That didn’t come to pass, nor did Ohtani need to face the Reds, as Snell and Yamamoto combined for MLB history en route to the Dodgers completing a sweep.
Ohtani’s postseason pitching debut came against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. A rare off day after Game 1 afforded the Dodgers an opportunity to bring Snell back for Game 2, when Glasnow also pitched out of the bullpen.
Yamamoto faced the Phillies in Game 3 and Glasnow started the Dodgers’ closeout win in Game 4.
Dodgers starting rotation for NLCS
Ohtani had been lined up to pitch a potential Game 5 against the Phillies, which initially suggested he would take the ball when it came time to face the Milwaukee Brewers for the start of the NL Championship Series.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested as much. But the team instead elected to go with Snell for Game 1 at American Family Field. Yoshinobu Yamamoto then started Game 2 of the NLCS.
“Those are the guys that could potentially pitch on regular rest,” Roberts explained, alluding to the NLCS reaching a potential Game 5 or 6.
Game 3: Tyler Glasnow
Glasnow was named the Dodgers’ starter for Game 3 against the Brewers.
“Game 3, we feel that Tyler is on regular rest, so it kind of lines him up,” said Roberts, indicating the right-hander would be available to then start a possible Game 7.
Game 4: Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani is going to go a span of 12 days between making starts as a pitcher. That’s not a concern for the Dodgers and setting their rotation this way allows for the opportunity of Ohtani potentially pitching out of the bullpen.
“Shohei has been fine with rest, potentially lines him up if we need a Game 7 out of the ‘pen,” Roberts noted.
The Dodgers had previously shown a preference for having Ohtani pitch the game before an off day, but that’s no longer much of a factor.
“Not as important. I think that just kind of appreciating having four starters in a potential seven-game series and who can pitch potentially twice,” Roberts said. “That’s kind of the impetus, versus Shohei having that day off after a game.”
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