LOS ANGELES -- Beating the Rockies in Game 163 on Monday made for simplified decision-making for the Dodgers this week, but there are still some unknowns leading up to Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Thursday against the Braves. Here are six key questions for Los Angeles in the series:
:: NLDS schedule and results ::
1. After Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 1 and Clayton Kershaw in Game 2, how will the Dodgers' rotation line up?
Ryu has been more effective down the stretch, with a 1.50 ERA in five September starts and will start Game 1 on normal rest, so Kershaw will get the ball for Game 2 on Friday. Ryu also has a 1.15 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in nine regular-season starts at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw knows the postseason drill better than anybody, and he'll make his 25th career postseason appearance (20th start).
With the travel day on Saturday, rookie Walker Buehler is lined up for Sunday's Game 3 in Atlanta with an extra day of rest after his stellar performance on Monday. Buehler beat the Braves at home this season, but he has never started at SunTrust Park. Rich Hill, clutch on Sunday in San Francisco to force a Game 163, makes for a strong Game 4 (if necessary) starter on Monday. Both Ryu and Kershaw would be on regular rest for a potential Game 5 in Los Angeles on Oct. 10.
2. Can Kenley Jansen turn back into Kenley Jansen by Thursday? If not, what can the Dodgers do about it?
Jansen allowed 13 homers in 2018, more than twice as many as any previous season, so his intimidation factor against opponents might have faded. He really hasn't been the same since last year's World Series. Roberts said he will have a heart-to-heart talk with Jansen, and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt downplayed the back-to-back home runs the closer allowed on Monday because it wasn't the pressure of a save situation. Both Roberts and Honeycutt said they need Jansen to be Jansen if they expect to advance against Atlanta.
With no Brandon Morrow around this year, the ace in the hole, so to speak, is Kenta Maeda, whose stuff works better in relief and whose makeup allows him to quickly shake off the occasional hiccup. And don't forget Alex Wood has been in the bullpen after 27 regular-season starts. He's only made six appearances out of the bullpen, but he loves pressure and doesn't lack in confidence, two ideal traits this time of year.

3. Will Chase Utley get a postseason farewell?
Probably not. Utley has had only 18 at-bats since July and is unlikely to make the NLDS roster. James Dozier starts at second base against left-handed pitchers, while Enrique Hernandez has been getting the call against right-handers. Dozier hasn't provided as much offensive production as the Dodgers hoped he would, but he had a big game on Sunday and has been started consistently against lefties.

4. If the Braves use only right-handed starting pitchers, will the Dodgers stick with their strict platoon lineup?
It got them this far, so why change now? Player Page for Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig (because of his reverse splits) start against right-handers, while David Freese, Chris Taylor, Matt Kemp and Dozier play against left-handers. When a left-handed reliever replaces a right-handed starter, Los Angeles often answers with a line change.
Against right-handed starters this year, the Dodgers were 51-46, but they were only a strike away from being no-hit by Atlanta lefty Sean Newcomb, so they probably wouldn't mind missing him.
• Braves pick Foltynewicz for NLDS opener
5. What becomes of Thomas Stripling?
It's been quite a roller-coaster season for Stripling, and his status for the postseason is about as uncertain as anyone on the 40-man roster. He went from long reliever to All-Star-caliber starter the first half, but he struggled down the stretch and vanished at the finish. In the current alignment, Stripling is no better than a fifth starter in a series that doesn't need one. It would be understandable if his confidence is wavering after his last four regular-season starts lasted no longer than 3 1/3 innings. That's not a great way to go into the most important series of the year.

6. How does the back end of the bullpen shape up?
Jansen, Maeda, Wood, Pedro Baez, Scott Alexander, Dylan Floro and Caleb Ferguson are probably on the roster. That leaves Stripling, Josh Fields and Ryan Madson on the bubble, with one or two spots available.