Thomas (intercostal strain) could return for NLDS
This browser does not support the video element.
LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers dropped a bit of a surprise on Friday afternoon when they named left-hander Tarik Skubal -- not righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto -- their Game 1 starter for the National League Division Series.
But the Braves may have a surprise of their own looming on Saturday.
Outfielder Lane Thomas -- sidelined since Sept. 8 with a left intercostal strain -- could potentially return for the NLDS.
"There's a chance for Lane," manager Walt Weiss said before the team took off for L.A. "He's responded very well to treatment. We've upped his workload and he's passed all the tests."
If Thomas is able to go, that would significantly alter the Braves' plans for Game 1.
Acquired at the Trade Deadline in no small part because of his ability to hit left-handed pitching, Thomas would likely get the start in left field against Skubal. That would allow Mauricio Dubón to move to shortstop in place of Ha-Seong Kim, who hit .116 with a .359 OPS over 147 plate appearances this season.
That said, Thomas hasn’t seen any game action in nearly a month. Not to mention, his tenure with the Braves hasn't exactly gone to plan to this point.
Not only did he appear in just 21 games before landing on the IL down the stretch, but he also hit just .171 with a .578 OPS in that limited sample. Including his time with the Royals, Thomas slashed .224/.318/.383 this season -- but he still held his own against left-handed pitching.
Thomas had an .803 OPS in 165 plate appearances against southpaws this season, compared to a .623 OPS in 209 PAs against righties. That's been the story for his entire career, as he has an .848 career OPS vs. lefties and a .664 mark against right-handers.
This browser does not support the video element.
"He's certainly in the conversation for this next round, which would be great because he's a threat against left-handed pitching," Weiss said. "And the Dodgers are loaded with left-handed pitching in the rotation and in the bullpen."
To that point, the Dodgers are not only starting Skubal in Game 1, but they’re also considering going with fellow southpaw Blake Snell over the right-handed Yamamoto in Game 2. They haven't named any starters beyond the series opener, but it's possible the Dodgers try to attack the Braves' weakness by rolling out back-to-back left-handers to start the NLDS.
The Braves' outlook -- and starting lineup options -- for those matchups changes drastically if Thomas is available.