Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Ricky Nolasco Still Slated To Start Game 4 In NLDS

With the series tied 1-1, the Dodgers and Braves held a workout at Dodger Stadium this afternoon and a lot of the questions centered around Don Mattingly’s decisions in the seventh inning last night.

Mattingly maintained he wouldn’t have done anything differently and also said that Andre Ethier won’t be playing the field during the NLDS. He also said that Hyun-Jin Ryu, who had a bullpen session yesterday, is ready to go for his start tomorrow night as a major crisis was averted.



However, Mattingly also shed some light on what the Dodgers plan is for Game 4 and said don’t expect a change in starters according to Ken Gurnick and Austin Laymance of Dodgers.com:

Right now we’re scheduled to go with Ricky, and that’s the way we’re going to go, said Mattingly.

Nolasco was thought to be pulling away from Ryu to start Game 3, but he struggled down the stretch and now has Dodger fans nervous for his start on Monday. After he was acquired from the Marlins, Nolasco was 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA in his first full month with the Dodgers, but was 2-2 with a 6.66 ERA in September.

On the off chance the Dodgers are in a 2-1 series hole, many believe that Mattingly should start Clayton Kershaw on three-days rest, but after 124 pitches on Thursday, it’s very unlikely.

Mattingly was asked about that scenario and said there proceeding with Nolasco at the moment:

Obviously, again, you’re going to go through every scenario. But really we’re looking at Ricky as Game 4.

I find it hard to believe that Mattingly and the staff wouldn’t go with his ace in Game 4, especially if Zack Greinke would be ready to go on regular rest in Game 5.

Hopefully the Dodgers won’t need to entertain the idea of starting Kershaw on three days rest as Ryu looks to be ready to go tomorrow night.

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In case you missed it, here’s the latest on Andre Ethier’s ankle/shin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KogAcerJqaQ

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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