Dodgers announce back end of rotation for NLDS
Mattingly tabs Ryu, Nolasco to pitch Games 3 and 4, respectively
ATLANTA -- Hyun-Jin Ryu and Ricky Nolasco are scheduled to pitch Games 3 and 4 of the National League Division Series for the Dodgers, manager Don Mattingly announced Wednesday.
Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke were earlier listed as the Dodgers' starters for Games 1 and 2 that will be played in Atlanta on Thursday and Friday nights. Games 3 and 4 (if needed) are scheduled to be played in Los Angeles on Sunday and Monday.
Mattingly said there has been no discussion of bringing Kershaw back on short rest for a Game 4 start if the Dodgers face elimination. Kershaw never has pitched on three days' rest, but he said he was not opposed to it.
The Dodgers are expected to submit an 11-man pitching staff when rosters are due at 7 a.m. PT Thursday, in which case Nolasco would probably be the emergency long reliever if something were to happen to Kershaw in Game 1.
Ryu had a 2.12 ERA and no decisions in two starts against the Braves, the one at Turner Field coming with an alarming five walks in five innings. He went 7-4 both home and away, but with a 3.69 ERA on the road and a 2.32 ERA at home.
Nolasco won his only start against the Braves this year, while with Miami, allowing two runs in seven innings with seven strikeouts at Turner Field.
But Nolasco hasn't looked the same since a Sept. 9 start at home against the D-backs, when he allowed one unearned run in 6 2/3 innings. To that point, Nolasco had thrown six consecutive quality starts. His ERA, 3.85 when he was acquired from Miami in early July, had been trimmed to 3.14.
But in three starts after that, Nolasco allowed 17 earned runs in 12 innings. Mattingly wrote off two of those starts because they were against the Giants, which he called a bad matchup for Nolasco.
Asked at Tuesday's Dodger Stadium workout if he was healthy, Nolasco said: "I'm fine. I'm 100 percent or I wouldn't be out here."
Nolasco has pitched only one inning of relief since Sept. 25. He threw a bullpen session during Thursday's workout at Turner Field. A Game 4 start next Monday would give Nolasco 11 days between starts.
Ryu started the last regular-season game Sunday and pitched four innings. His Game 3 start Sunday will give him six days between starts.