Dodgers News: Corey Knebel to Start Game 1 of the NLCS Tonight
The Dodgers and Braves are ready to get things started in the National League Championship Series. After both teams bested their opponents in the Division Series, Los Angeles and Atlanta will battle it out again to decide who goes to the World Series.
To get things started, the Dodgers will once again turn to RHP Corey Knebel in Game 1. Knebel was the starting pitcher in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Giants rather than going with Julio Urias right out of the gate.
Dave Roberts had mentioned that Max Scherzer could be a possibility to pitch in Game 1 despite closing out the series on Thursday. Knebel getting the start doesn’t necessarily mean that won’t happen, but it makes it far less likely.
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The expectation is that the Dodgers will go with a bulk guy after Knebel. That could be a number of guys, including Tony Gonsolin. Gonsolin is technically the 4th starter in Dave Roberts’ rotation, but he did not make an NLDS appearance. In fact, his last appearance came on the last day of September.
The Dodgers could also pivot completely to a bullpen game, though that does seem like a tough way to start off a series. Especially when that series could go 7 games/. Stay tuned.
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Ok, color me officially shocked. I thought there was no way Mad Max doesn’t demand the ball for game 1…guess he’s still nursing that hangover lol.
I mean the guy breaks his nose in batting practice and takes the hill the next day? Oh well.
Let’s go Dodgers!
Apparently Scherzer wasn’t quite ready to start but again, even if this is a full BP game the offense either wins it or loses it. Yes, Dodgers got past the Giants but for 3 of those games the hitting for the most part was inconsistent.
Paul, no argument.
Why would you assume he had a choice in the matter? Maybe I missed something but I would guess that Mad Max DID demand the Game 1 start and was told no? I have a hard time believing he begged off unless there is something seriously wrong with him at this point.
Rayovac, given the nature of today’s game, you could very well be right about that. Difficult to know as we aren’t privy to those decisions. I would love to be “the fly on the wall” in those discussions.
Maybe they will do the same with Max as they did with Urias in game 5? They will keep that close to the vest though?
Tim, I wouldn’t be at all surprised by that possibility.
I’ve said this elsewhere…if the Braves were in the NL West, they wouldn’t even be in the playoffs!
Kind of a shock about Max not starting; but Knebel turned out to be a genius move against the Giants. The key tonight, as you say, Paul , is the offense. We have the tools and we need to use them. Long counts. Lots of foul balls. Work the count choke up on the bat.
Of course that is what is going on.
LA is re-inventing how teams will use their Pitchers.
Soon, there will no longer be a “starting” pitcher.
Robby, sorry to inform but the Tampa Bay Rays were ahead of the curve in the use of “openers.”
Oh yes, Andrew Friedman’s previous employer? The Rays.
Friedman’s plans are for Knebel to start every game.
It’s almost as if they are playing the game backwards, relievers to start and starters to close. Hmmm. So far so good. Whatever works. All I care about is the W! Last I checked they don’t give you extra credit or style points! It ain’t diving or gymnastics!
Maybe use Max like Julio or go full bullpen
But need hitting above all