Monday, October 07, 2013

Kershaw To Start NLDS Game 4

Big stride, big game.

No Nolasco; Clayton Kershaw is set to start tonight's NLDS Game 4:

Clayton Kershaw will start Game 4 of the Los Angeles Dodgers' NL Division Series on Monday night against the Atlanta Braves.

Ricky Nolasco had been scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers, but the team decided to go with its ace to try to close out the series at home.

The Dodgers lead the series 2-1 and Game 5, if necessary, would be in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Kershaw won Game 1 last Thursday, allowing one run on three hits in seven innings. He will pitch on three days' rest.

The Dodgers had previously considered starting Kershaw if they had lost Game 3.

Nolasco endured a rough stretch to end the regular season, going 0-2 with a 12.75 ERA over his final three starts.

A best-of-five series is always a crapshoot, so getting Kershaw back to pitch this game and hopefully finish things off once and for all is a great call. It's concerning that Kershaw had 124 pitches in Game 1, but hopefully the Kid will deal us into the NLCS with a win at home tonight.

photo: John Bazemore / AP

6 comments:

Paul said...

Ricky needed a 22 day rest anyways.

Dusty Baker said...

This is Hollywood - we just have a flair for the dramatic!

Buckle up folks. Good or bad decision, let's get behind Kid K.

Hideo Nomo said...

Are there risks? Sure! But I'm the type of guy to hear this news and say, "Our best pitcher? Cool!"

It's a shot to Ricky's confidence, but he's a pro. He understands.

QuadSevens said...

He's the NL's Ace! He can handle one start on 3 days rest.

#Ibelieve

Paul said...

Donnie is going full tilt boogie. So is my liver.

Paul said...

Okay Cards you did your job. Now go lose game 5.