Los Angeles Dodgers: Constructing the team’s NLDS roster
By Jason Reed
Starting rotation
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a very comfortable place, starting pitching wise, heading into the postseason. Los Angeles realistically has six players that they can throw into the starting rotation, however, the team is most likely to run a four-man rotation to give Clayton Kershaw the ball in game five if need be.
The other two potential suitors will be slated in the bullpen for the NLDS, but very well could make a start in the NLCS is the team makes it there. We saw Julio Urias come out of the ‘pen against the Nationals and then start against the Cubs last postseason and we could see something very similar this year. However, for the NLDS, this is the four-man rotation to run.
Clayton Kershaw has had a shaky season, he is still dominating on the mound but the gap between him and the second-best pitcher in the word has shrunk significantly. Last postseason Kershaw got the playoff skeletons out of his closet, and with extra rest due to injury, we could see more great performances.
Darvish has been really hit or miss for the Dodgers, either throwing gems or disasters. Darvish’s start will be the one to monitor and be the most interesting to watch.
As for Wood, the team will likely get predictable output from him. Wood may not dominant like he was during the first half of the season, but the Dodgers can expect six to seven strong innings allowing two or fewer runs. From Rich Hill, five to six such innings can be expected.
For the first time in the Dodgers five-year postseason run, the team seems to have a deep playoff rotation that won’t get banged up late like previous years.