While it remains to be seen if the Los Angeles Dodgers will make any changes to their postseason roster for the National League Division Series, manager Dave Roberts has already named Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw the starters in Games 1 and 2 against the San Diego Padres.
Beyond that, the Dodgers have a trio of options in Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May and Julio Urias they are confident in but undecided on. The Padres, on the other hand, have not yet announced their Game 1 starter or NLDS rotation.
San Diego is hoping to get back Mike Clevinger and Dinelson Lamet, who are on the mend from respective elbow and biceps injuries. The right-handers recently played catch at Petco Park before boarding their flight to Texas, giving the club hope that one or both will be available to pitch against the Dodgers.
With NLDS rosters due Tuesday morning, Padres manager Jayce Tingler explained the team is hopeful to sustain progress Clevinger and Lamet rather than experience some regression as well, via AJ Cassavell of MLB.com:
“We’re trying to keep everything in play, we’re not ruling anything out,” said Padres manager Jayce Tingler. “We’ll see if we can stack some good days. I wish I had some information. I just don’t right now. Each [guy] is day to day. Feels like we’ll take a half-step forward, another half-step forward, then we’ve been having half-steps back.”
With Clevinger and Lamet unable to pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Padres turned to Chris Paddack in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series. He struggled mightily, allowing six runs on eight hits in just 2.1 innings pitched and the Padres went on to drop the opener.
Getting Clevinger and/or Lamet back for the NLDS would be a major boon for San Diego, as the two enjoyed excellent regular-season campaigns.
Clevinger, acquired from the Cleveland Indians at the Aug. 31 trade deadline, went 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA in four starts for the Padres. Lamet, a Cy Young candidate, compiled a 3-1 record, 2.09 ERA, 2.48 FIP and 0.86 WHIP in 12 games.
Padres vs. Dodgers NLDS start times, schedule and TV info
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6:38 p.m. PT, FS1
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 6:08 p.m., FS1
Game 3: Thursday, Oct. 8, 6:08 p.m., MLB Network
Game 4*: Friday, Oct. 9, 6:08 p.m., FS1
Game 5*: Saturday, Oct. 10, 5:08 p.m., FS1
*if necessary
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