Dodgers stick to the script with NLDS Game 1 lineups

LOS ANGELES — Facing right-hander Mike Foltynewicz in Game 1 of the NLDS, the Dodgers will go with what got them here against righties Thursday night. Joc Pederson will leadoff for the same lineup the Dodgers ran out for Game 163 on Monday, with the obvious exception of Hyun-jin Ryu.

Manny Machado, settling into the cleanup spot towards the end of the season, has limited postseason experience in his seven seasons at the big league level. In seven total games, Machado is 4-for-23 (.174) with one home run in 27 plate appearances, 19 of which came in the 2012 ALDS against the Yankees as a rookie.

Hitting fourth in the Dodger lineup has suited the Dodger shortstop, going 12-for-35 (.343) with a pair of long balls in nine games.

“This lineup is so deep with the production that we have one through nine,” said Machado. “Even on our bench, guys coming in, we’re so deep that we have protection in front of you, behind you.”

“I mean, it’s just we’re lucky to have the ball club that we have, not only that they’re great players, but they know how to do their job at the same time.”

Braves Roster

Atlanta went with 12 pitchers and 13 position players for their NLDS roster, carrying three catchers and six infielders.

The most notable exclusion for the Braves is shortstop Dansby Swanson, who suffered a torn ligament on a swing last week. Swanson hit .238/.304/.395 with 14 homers in 136 games this season.

The injury eats into the depth of Atlanta’s bench since Charlie Culberson will be inserted into the lineup in his place.

“He’s probably been arguably maybe our most valuable player,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said of Culberson. The 29-year-old utility man had career numbers in nearly all categories for Atlanta in 2018, hitting .270/.326/.466 with 12 home runs during the regular season.

Of course, Culberson played for the Dodgers over the past two seasons and had success during the 2017 postseason, going 8-for-16 with four extra-base hits in the LCS and World Series.