Why the Dodgers' MLB playoffs pitching blueprint won't change - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — The circumstances yearned for reassessment, but Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't entertain it. Clayton Kershaw had put together the worst start of his illustrious career, on the heels of a two-month stretch in which he was clearly limited by a balky left shoulder, but Roberts didn't deviate from his plan.

Kershaw, Roberts said Saturday night, then reiterated Sunday morning, will make his next scheduled start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 4 on Thursday, if this National League Division Series even gets there.

«For us to accomplish what we want to this year,» Roberts said, «we're going to need Clayton Kershaw to start baseball games.»

And therein lies the vulnerability of these Dodgers, a 100-win team that is far from a juggernaut because of the uncertainty throughout its starting rotation.

The Dodgers went into this postseason looking to make up for a glaring deficiency with unconventionality, utilizing openers and bridge starters and a heavy dose of high-leverage relievers to piece together victories in October. It's a volatile plan born out of necessity, but its success hinged on Kershaw providing four to five quality innings on his start days. It's why the results of his Game 1 outing Saturday night — six runs allowed and one out recorded, becoming only the fourth starting pitcher in postseason history with such a line — were so concerning.

Kershaw is the only man remaining from the Dodgers' initial rotation. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin underwent season-ending surgeries; Noah Syndergaard struggled mightily before being traded away; Walker Buehler didn't make it back from his second Tommy John surgery in time to help; Julio Urias went on administrative leave after allegations of