Dodgers name their starters for Games 1 and 2 of NLCS

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced his starting pitchers for the first two games of the NLCS.

After getting past the Milwaukee Brewers with ease in the Wild Card Round, the expectation was that the Los Angeles Dodgers would face a true challenge in the form of the San Diego Padres. That never came to fruition, as San Diego’s depleted pitching rotation ultimately did them in and allowed the Dodgers to capitalize in the form of a sweep. Now, they face arguably their biggest test, as they face the equally bloated lineup of the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS. But who’s taking the mound to start the series?

On Saturday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Walker Buehler would take the mound for Game 1 on Monday, while veteran ace Clayton Kershaw would start Game 2 this upcoming Tuesday.

Roberts’ announcement was no surprise

Buehler has been the Dodgers’ pseudo No. 1 starter throughout this postseason. In Wild Card Game 1 against the Brewers, the 26-year-old right-hander allowed two earned runs on three hits, while striking out eight batters in four innings of works in Los Angeles’ 4-2 win. Buehler took the mound for the team’s first meeting against the Padres, and put up similar numbers as his Brewers showing. Buehler struck out eight batters in four innings, but he surrendered one earned run on two hits in Los Angeles’ 5-1 victory.

As for Kershaw, he dismantled the Brewers in their elimination game in the Wild Card Round. The veteran left-hander pitched eight full frames, recorded 13 strikeouts and surrendered three hits in the Dodgers’ 3-0 shutout win. His outing against the Padres was a bit rough. Kershaw got knocked for three earned runs on six hits. Two of those runs came off back-to-back solo home runs by Padres third baseman Manny Machado and first baseman Eric Hosmer. Despite that, the Dodgers narrowly held on for the 6-5 victory.

The Dodgers are the odds-on favorites to win the World Series out of the four remaining teams in the MLB postseason field. However, the Braves can present themselves as a huge spoiler this upcoming round. So, Roberts is wisely and expectedly throwing out his two best arms to start the Championship Series.