(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to advance to the National League Championship Series as they defeated the San Diego Padres in game 5 of the National League Division Series on Friday.
Game 1 of this series will begin on Sunday as the Dodgers take on the New York Mets.
Jack Flaherty will take the mound for the Dodgers in game 1, but Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts is unsure which way they will go for game 2.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Roberts says that the Dodgers might go with a bullpen game in game 2 depending on how game 1 goes.
The Dodgers may go with a bullpen game for Game 2 and push back starter Walker Buehler, but Dave Roberts said a final decision will depend on how much the bullpen is used tonight.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 13, 2024
It appears that Roberts may want to let starting pitcher Walker Buehler rest in game 2 if he has enough relievers rested for a bullpen game.
Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Padres was a bullpen game for the Dodgers, and it worked out well as they won the game by a score of 8-0.
The Dodgers are missing 2 key starting pitchers in their rotation due to injury, which makes Roberts’ job more difficult.
Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow are both injured for the Dodgers and would most likely be their first 2 options to start in the playoffs.
The Dodgers hope that Flaherty can go deep into the game on Sunday to save their bullpen for game 2 which is scheduled to take place the next day on Monday.
It will be interesting to see how Roberts plays it in game 1 and if he will try to save his bullpen.
The Dodgers are looking to appear in their first World Series since winning it all in 2020.
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