An endless churn of injuries throughout the season made it apparent any Los Angeles Dodgers postseason rotation was going to partly be based on who emerged from a battle of attrition.
The Dodgers hoped the group would include the likes of Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone and Clayton Kershaw. However, they are heading into the National League Division Series with Glasnow and Stone ruled out for the playoffs, and Kershaw multiple weeks from possibly being an option.
There had also been recent changes with Tony Gonsolin’s trajectory as he entered the discussion. First it was as a possible member of the Dodgers bullpen, before manager Dave Roberts indicated the team would consider him as a starter as well.
However, that no longer appears to be case as the Dodgers’ rotation for the NLDS is expected to consist of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler and Landon Knack, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Roberts confirmed Friday that the Dodgers’ starting rotation for the NLDS will include Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler and Landon Knack — though not necessarily in that order.
Roberts also said Tony Gonsolin, who made three minor-league rehab starts this month after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, is unlikely to be on the Dodgers’ postseason roster barring “something really unforeseen.”
Flaherty and Yamamoto were locks for the Dodgers to start in the NLDS, but there wasn’t much clarity behind them until recently.
Buehler seemingly pitched his way into the rotation behind a string of encouraging starts to close out the regular season. That culminated with holding the San Diego Padres to just one run over five innings in the win that clinched the NL West for the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, Knack has been valued contributor throughout the year but there was some sense he would possibly be bumped to the bullpen or off the playoff roster entirely if Kershaw or Stone was going to be available.
Next for the Dodgers is a decision on whether Flaherty or Yamamoto will start Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Dodgers’ plan for Tony Gonsolin
Assuming Gonsolin does not end up being included on the Dodgers’ postseason roster, he’s expected to be part of the players who report to Camelback Ranch and keep sharp in the event of plans changing.
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