Dodgers rotation in flux over weather, off-days
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PHOENIX -- Weather, recent bullpen usage and a schedule that gives the Dodgers two days off in a five-day span has left manager Dave Roberts uncertain about his upcoming probable starting pitchers.
The Dodgers have scheduled days off on Thursday and Monday, bracketing a three-game series in San Francisco. To keep Clayton Kershaw on a regular five-day cycle, he will start Sunday, but who will start on Friday and Saturday are uncertain.
Kenta Maeda is listed as the Friday night starter and Rich Hill is listed for Saturday. But Roberts also said that the weather forecast puts Friday night's game in jeopardy.
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If Maeda doesn't pitch on Friday, he could start on Saturday. Roberts mentioned Hyun Jin Ryu as a possibility for the second game of the series. Otherwise, Ryu could be pushed back well into next week. Maeda was in the bullpen on Wednesday for long-relief coverage in the wake of Monday night's 15-inning marathon, but Ross Stripling followed Alex Wood's six-inning start with two scoreless innings to reset the bullpen.
"If there is a rainout Friday, we have to pivot and figure out who we want to throw," Roberts said. "We don't have a lot of clarity."