NLDS Game 4 Preview: Clayton Kershaw Looks To Keep Season Alive
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a must win situation against the New York Mets in Game 4 of the NLDS. The Mets lead the series 2-1 and the Dodgers are on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
The Mets’ bats were on fire in Game 3, but reigning National League MVP, Clayton Kershaw, will look to cool them off on Tuesday night. Kershaw will be pitching in Game 4 on three days rest, but the team has confidence in their ace. If anyone is going to lead this team to a World Series it is Clayton Kershaw, and he has another opportunity to prove that tonight.
Countering Kershaw for the Mets is a fellow left-handed pitcher, Steven Matz. The rookie had a regular season record of 4-0 with an ERA of 2.27. In his sole outing against the Dodgers, he shut them out and only allowed two hits through six innings. Matz MLB career is still young, as he has only pitched six major league games, so the Dodgers will look to exploit the rookie in this decisive game.
The Dodgers will start their best bats in tonight’s matchup in New York. Joining the starting lineup for the first time this post season is Yasiel Puig and Justin Ruggiano. Puig is recently back from his hamstring injury, but he will be a sight for sore eyes for Dodgers fans since Carl Crawford has struggled in the NLDS.
Also returning to the starting lineup for the Dodgers is Corey Seager, after being temporarily replaced by Jimmy Rollins in Game 3. Seager is batting .222 in the NLDS, but he is looking to have a strong outing tonight along with the rest of the Dodgers.
The Dodgers have a steep mountain to climb to advance into the next round, but the task is not impossible. Los Angeles must give Kershaw plenty of run support and take care of the Mets in Game 4. If the Dodgers pull it out tonight, they will be headed back to Los Angeles for Game 5 at Dodgers Stadium, where their second ace might lead them to victory.
Dodgers Lineup:
CF: Kike Hernandez
2B: Howie Kendrick
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Corey Seager
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: A.J. Ellis
LF: Justin Ruggiano
P: Clayton Kershaw
Mets Lineup:
RF: Curtis Granderson
3B: David Wright
2B: Daniel Murphy
LF: Yoenis Cespedes
C: Travis d’Arnaud
1B: Lucas Duda
SS: Wilmer Flores
CF: Juan Lagares
P: Steven Matz
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