Los Angeles Dodgers: Who gets game two of NLDS; Darvish or Wood?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering the postseason as the team to watch. One question remains, who starts game two of the NLDS?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the most polarizing team in baseball right now. One month ago, many were expecting the Dodgers to waltz through the postseason after finishing with the best record in baseball. Now, after a shaky September, the Dodger enter the month of October with many question marks around their heads.

The strong play of late has not been able to save this unit of the doubters, either. While the tides may be turning, the Diamondbacks, Nationals and Cubs are all getting more recognition than these Dodgers. Again, back to question marks.

One of the biggest questions the Dodgers need to answer is around their pitching staff in the NLDS. For once though, it is a good question to be answered. No longer are the Dodgers short on arms, instead, they have to figure out which great pitcher should pitch at home, and which should pitch on the road.

This is between Alex Wood and Yu Darvish. The former is the pitcher that has dominated for the Dodgers all season long, going from near unhittable to a consistent number two option. The latter? A blockbuster trade acquisition that has been inconsistent, but still made the Dodgers the favorites to win the World Series.

So, who exactly gets the nod in game two, when all the chips are on the table? Game two can be a springboard for many things. If the Los Angeles Dodgers lose game one, game two becomes a must win.

After a victory, game two can be the propelling point to a series win and at the very least guarantees, the team will get Clayton Kershaw back on the mound in game five, if necessary.

Game two will be hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Being a pitcher-friendly park, hosting will be to the advantage of the home arms. Wood boasts a 3.20 ERA at Dodger Stadium and a 2.24 ERA elsewhere. Darvish, on the other hand, has a 4.84 ERA at Dodger Stadium and a 2.31 elsewhere.

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How about against their potential opponents, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies or Milwaukee Brewers? Chances are the Dodgers will face either the Rockies or the Diamondbacks, but the Brewers can sneak in if LA sweeps Colorado to close out the season.

Wood has a 2.57 ERA against the Diamondbacks and a 3.18 ERA against the Rockies. Darvish owns a 3.60 ERA against the Diamondbacks and a 10.38 ERA against the Rockies, yikes. At Chase Field, Wood has a 5.06 ERA. At Coors Field, he has a 0.00 ERA in one start this year. Darvish has only faced Arizona once, in Arizona, so his ERA sits at 3.60.

However, the most important note has to be Wood’s performance against the Diamondbacks at home. Wood has thrown 10.1 innings against the Diamondbacks in Los Angeles, and has not allowed a single run.

Because of that, the choice to go with Wood at Dodger Stadium is the right choice to make. Although his numbers are better on the road, Wood’s scoreless innings alongside Darvish’s better performance on the road merits a game two start for Wood.

Next: Predicting the Dodgers NLDS Roster

Overall, the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to be in a position to win with either guy on the mound in game two. But, if you are Dave Roberts, you have to give the nod to Alex Wood in game two.

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