The Dodgers are not messing around with the Cardinals in their National League Division Series, as they’ve shuffled things around to get Clayton Kershaw the start in Game 4 on short rest. Kershaw started Game 1 and allowed eight runs after a rare meltdown in the seventh inning, but even the best have off-nights on occasion.
Dodgers will start Clayton Kershaw in Game 4
Whether the Dodgers will be looking to clinch or fight off elimination with Kershaw won’t be known until after Game 3 Monday.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dan Haren was originally expected to get the Game 4 nod, with Kershaw in line for a potential Game 5, but the Dodgers aren’t going to play wait-and-see with their ace. The thing that’s unknown at this point is whether Game 4 on Tuesday is going to be one in which the Dodgers are attempting to clinch, or if they’ll be fighting to stay alive for a Game 5. Game 3 is Monday, and the Kershaw news came out prior to that contest’s results, so there is no clear explanation given other than the obvious one where Kershaw is the best pitcher.
This leaves Haren in the role of long relief, should Hyun-jin Ryu -- who has missed three weeks with shoulder irritation -- need to exit Game 3 early. Or, it gives the Dodgers someone to turn to if Kershaw isn’t capable of going his normal distance while on short rest.
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