Dodgers News: Dodgers Starting Rotation to Remain the Same for NLCS
Despite the added games, and the 2-3-2 format of the NLCS, the Dodger’ starting rotation will remain the same with four pitchers
MILWAUKEE, WI—Entering October, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting rotation was seen as a massive strength, and that so far has turned out to be true as the combination of Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Tyler Glasnow.
That four-man set has been enough to post a 4-1 record over their five games played this postseason. Entering the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers tomorrow, that doesn’t appear to change despite the added games and fewer days off, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Although the Dodgers’ playoff roster is expected to change, including adding at least one pitcher, they will not expand their rotation to include a fifth starter.
“I think the four starters, and how we line it up, is important, but I think four is all we need,” manager Dave Roberts said before the Dodgers’ workout at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.
As for how the rotation would be aligned for the seven-game series, after the Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Roberts indicated that Ohtani would be in consideration for a Game One start, but during yesterday’s media interview, he was reluctant to announce a starter.
Roberts was confident that even if the NLCS turns into a lengthy series, the Dodgers would not have to rely on a bullpen game, a pitching strategy they employed several times last October.
“Obviously, no one knows how the series is going to play out, but I do think how we would kind of line the starters up, we would do the best we can to get four starters and not have to take on a bullpen game,” he said.
Roberts is expected to name a starter for Game One today, while the team is set to arrive in Milwaukee this afternoon after taking a morning flight. The team awaits the final results of yesterday’s Game Five of the NLDS between the Cubs and Brewers.
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