Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw to start Game 4 on short rest
LOS ANGELES – Facing an elimination game, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a decision for the present while keeping their eyes on the future.
In choosing to start staff ace Clayton Kershaw on three days’ rest over Julio Urias in today’s NL Division Series Game 4, manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the club was sticking to its practice of limiting the rookie left-hander’s workload.
The Washington Nationals, ahead 2-1 in the series and guaranteed no worse than a Game 5 at home, will go with right-hander Joe Ross over rookie Reynaldo Lopez, who is likely to see action out of the bullpen.
Considering the Dodgers used their relievers 12 times in the previous two days, Roberts and the team’s brass believe Kershaw on short rest is a better option than Urias to avoid having to overburden the taxed bullpen.
“One, Clayton gives us the best chance to win, and No. 2, he gives us the best chance to go deeper into a game,’’ Roberts said.
The Dodgers have been very careful in bringing along the 20-year-old Urias, who had a 1.99 ERA over his last 10 outings – seven of them starts – but only twice pitched as many as six innings. His 122 innings between the majors and minors this season are almost 35 more than he has ever thrown as a pro.
“There’s some pitch-count mindfulness with Julio,’’ said Roberts, who pointed out Kershaw had entered the NLDS figuring on pitching Game 4 anyway.
Kershaw, who was sidelined for 2 ½ months this season with a back injury, was not sharp in Game 1, picking up the win but yielding eight hits and three runs in five innings.
In three previous postseason starts going on short rest, the three-time Cy Young Award winner is 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 19 innings.
Roberts said Urias will be available in relief today and, if not used, would be a candidate to start a potential Game 5, as would be Rich Hill on three days’ rest.
Monday’s 8-3 win took some pressure off the Nationals, who are looking to advance to their first league championship series since moving to Washington in 2005.
Manager Dusty Baker conceded that he does not expect an extended outing from Ross, who missed 2 ½ months with shoulder inflammation and did not complete more than four innings in any of his three September starts.
“We know Joe will go shorter than Lopez, but we still have Lopez to back up,’’ Baker said, adding that he doesn’t have an expectation for how long Ross can go. “I’m just looking for a performance, just give us all you’ve got, and then we’ll take it from there.’’
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