Clayton Kershaw will start Game 1 of the World Series for the Dodgers.
Walker Buehler will start Game 3.
Outside of that?
“It’ll be kind of hard to figure out,” Manager Dave Roberts said.
In other words, the Dodgers’ pitching plans are largely in keeping with the formula that got them through a seven-game National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves.
Kershaw will take the ball on four days’ rest Tuesday against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow.
In his only NLCS start, Kershaw allowed one run over the first five innings of Game 4. He then allowed three consecutive hits to begin the sixth inning, squandering a 1-1 tie. Even though he was loose in the bullpen for Games 6 and 7, Kershaw did not pitch again in the series.
Kershaw was originally scheduled to start Game 2 of the NLCS, but he suffered back spasms during a bullpen workout two days before the series began.
The back is no longer an issue, Kershaw said.
“I can’t speak to everybody’s body, but I think we all feel good,” he said. “It’s the World Series. We all feel good. Emotionally, after a seven-game series like that, it’s a quick turnaround. The Rays played a seven-game series. They have to travel (from San Diego). We don’t have to travel. We’re all going to be ready to go 100 percent.”
Kershaw has made nine Game 1 starts for the Dodgers in the postseason, most recently in Game 1 of the 2018 World Series. He is 4-5 with a 5.86 earned-run average in playoff openers.
Buehler started Games 1 and 6 of the NLCS. He allowed a home run to Freddie Freeman in the first inning of the first game, then threw 10 consecutive scoreless innings across the two starts.
The Dodgers’ other starting pitching options for the World Series are less stellar.
Julio Urías allowed just one run across eight innings in the NLCS. But he worked the final three innings of Game 7 on Sunday, throwing 39 pitches. That could compromise his availability early in the series. If Urías starts Game 4 on Saturday, he will enjoy five days’ rest.
Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May finished the regular season in the Dodgers’ rotation. Since then, they’ve shuffled between the rotation and the bullpen. They combined to allow nine runs in 11 innings against the Braves.
Glasnow went 5-1 with a 4.08 earned-run average in 11 regular-season starts. In his only American League Championship Series start, he allowed four runs in six innings in the Rays’ Game 4 loss to the Astros.
Blake Snell will start Game 2 for Tampa Bay. The left-hander went 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA in 11 regular-season starts. He also started twice in the ALCS, picking up the win in Game 1 before losing Game 6.
BELLINGER UPDATE
Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger, who separated his right (non-throwing) shoulder celebrating his game-winning home run Sunday, said the injury felt “fine” on the eve of the World Series.
“I think it’s the third or fourth time I’ve done it,” Bellinger said of the injury. “The next day’s the same. I already expected how I was going to feel. I feel good right now.”
Bellinger’s home run against Chris Martin gave the Dodgers a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning of Game 7. After circling the bases, he leaped to “bash” elbows with teammate Kiké Hernandez. That’s when the separation occurred.
After ducking into the trainer’s room to have his shoulder popped back into place, Bellinger returned to play center field for the final two innings. He caught two fly balls in the final inning, including the out that ended the NLCS.“It was pure adrenaline, almost like you black out,” Bellinger said of his fateful celebration. “Obviously I wish I didn’t do it.”
Roberts said he anticipates Bellinger will play center field again during the World Series. He said the impact of the injury on Bellinger’s swing is his primary concern.
ALSO
Both teams must submit their 28-man rosters to Major League Baseball at 8 a.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday. Monday afternoon, Roberts said the Dodgers were still considering subtracting a pitcher from their group of 15, “but staying status quo is probably what I foresee.” … Rays manager Kevin Cash said he is contemplating subtracting a pitcher too, from 14 to 13. … With Globe Life Field serving as the neutral site for the entirety of the series, this will be the first time any World Series games have been played on artificial turf since Games 1-2 of the 2008 World Series at Tropicana Field, when the Rays hosted the Phillies. … The last all-turf World Series was held in 1993, between the Blue Jays (Skydome) and Phillies (Veterans Stadium).
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