Dodgers News: Zack Greinke Available To Pitch In Possible Game 7
The “other” Dodger ace Zack Greinke got the Dodgers a Game 6 tomorrow night at Busch Stadium with his seven inning, two-run performance and even helped his own cause with an RBI single.
Greinke threw a total of 104 pitches as he escaped an early jam in the first inning with the bases loaded and nobody out. In his first real taste of the playoffs, Greinke is willing to do anything according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:
Greinke said he would be willing to pitch in relief in Game 7 if NLCS gets there. #Dodgers
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 17, 2013
Prior to Game 4 on Tuesday, Don Mattingly said that Greinke and Clayton Kershaw both approached him about going on three-days rest, but he ultimately decided to go with Ricky Nolasco.
Signed in the offseason to a six-year $147 million contract, Greinke was impressive in his first season with the Dodgers going 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA while breaking his collarbone in April against the Padres. Kershaw will take the mound tomorrow night against Cardinals rookie Michael Wacha in a rematch of Game 2.
Kershaw started on three-days rest in the NLDS, but it would be Hyun-Jin Ryu who would get the ball in Game 7 against Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright. Ryu beat Wainwright in Game 3, but if Kershaw does what most expect, Greinke could find himself coming in out of the bullpen if Ryu were to get into trouble.
The Dodgers still have to win Game 6 tomorrow for this to mean anything, but it’s great to see them have an “all hands on deck” approach as they try to come back from a 3-1 series deficit.
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In case you missed it, here’s Adrian Gonzalez flashing the “Mickey Mouse” ears after his third inning home run yesterday.