Dodgers likely to heavily use bullpen for second straight game

With Max Scherzer scratched from making his Game 6 start, the expectation is that the Dodgers will have yet another bullpen game. This will be their second straight, as they had one for Game 5.

Walker Buehler was scheduled to start on Sunday for a potential Game 7, but instead will start Game 6 on short rest again.

The bullpen figures to be used heavily all weekend, so what route do the Dodgers take?

They used a number of pitchers in Game 5, with Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen each tossing two scoreless innings. They could go the same route and count on 6-7 pitchers to throw at some point. Or, depending on whether or not the Dodgers’ offense scores any runs, they could have a pitcher eat a bulk of the innings.

The two options are Tony Gonsolin and David Price, who could easily give the Dodgers three innings if needed. With this being an elimination game, I’m not sure how much confidence I have in those guys on the mound. With that being said, if the offense is able to get a 4-5 run lead early on, it would be ideal for one of those arms to pitch multiple innings.

I have no clue what to expect, but fasten those seatbelts because it’s going to be a wild ride later tonight.

Dodgers links

• The Wall Street Journal writes about how Cody Bellinger has found his swing during the postseason
• Dodgers tenure has Farhan Zaidi focused on retaining Giants’ core, writes Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports
• Jack Harris from The LA Times shared his takeaways from the Dodgers’ thrilling Game 5 victory
• How hard is it to make it through a best-of-seven playoff series healthy? They wouldn’t be the 2021 Dodgers if they did, writes JP Hoornstra
• Albert Pujols continues to show his value in the clubhouse, writes Juan Toribio of MLB.com
• If you need a good laugh, a Dodgers fan tried to help guide cars out of the parking lot following a game at Dodger Stadium
• Dodgers vs. Braves series a showcase for baseball’s illogical unpredictability, writes Helene Elliott