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The postponement of Game 2 to Sunday throws a wrench into any plans the Dodgers might have had of starting Clayton Kershaw on short rest in the National League Division Series. In other words, expect Julio Urias to start Game 4 against the Nationals on Tuesday, should such a game be necessary in this series.
With two off days built into the NLDS schedule, the option usually exists to start the Game 1 starter on short rest in Game 4 if needed, followed by the Game 2 starter on regular rest in Game 5. It has been a nice little quirky advantage for a top-heavy rotation like the Dodgers have had, first with Kershaw and Zack Greinke for three years and now with Kershaw and Rich Hill.
Earlier Saturday, before the Game 2 postponement, manager Dave Roberts said the plan was to start Kershaw on short rest in Game 4 only if down 2-1 in the series.
Roberts said Kershaw for Game 4 is "on the table" if team is trailing series. Otherwise Urias starts. Kershaw cane out of Game 1 healthy.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 8, 2016
Roberts said Kershaw for Game 4 is "on the table" if team is trailing series. Otherwise Urias starts. Kershaw cane out of Game 1 healthy.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 8, 2016
Dave Roberts said starting Clayton Kershaw on 3 days rest is "on the table," will depend on where series stands. Urias starts if LAD up 2-1
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 8, 2016
But with Hill now starting Sunday, and the remainder of the series schedule unchanged, he would only be available in Game 5 Thursday if pitching on short rest, something the Dodgers are highly unlikely to consider.
In other words, the plan now is Urias in Game 4, Kershaw in Game 5, again if the series lasts that long.
#Dodgers Dave Roberts: "Any thought is us having Clayton come back on short rest is probably nixed"
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 8, 2016
"There's no absolutes," Dave Roberts says, "but right now I see Julio making that start" even if Dodgers trail in the series.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) October 8, 2016
Julio Uriás, will start Game 4, if necessary. Very unlikely Roberts would start Kersh or Hill on short rest.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) October 8, 2016
"We've got all the confidence in Julio and the rest of the guys in the pen." - Dave Roberts on @FS1
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) October 8, 2016
Should this NLDS last four games, and should Urias make the start on Tuesday, the left-hander at 20 years, 60 days old will be the youngest Dodgers playoff starting pitcher ever.
The current record is 20 years, 339 days by Fernando Valenzuela in Game 1 of the 1981 NLDS against Houston.
Urias would also be the youngest postseason starter ever in MLB history, too, younger than Bret Saberhagen (20 years, 175 days) in Game 2 of the 1984 ALCS).