UPDATE: The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially named lefty Blake Snell as the starting pitcher for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Milwaukee Brewers on October 16, 2023. In a strategic move, righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound in Game 2, while star pitcher Shohei Ohtani is set to start in Game 3 back in Los Angeles.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the plans earlier today, emphasizing that Ohtani will pitch but the exact day remains uncertain. “He’ll pitch at some point, but we just don’t know which day,” Roberts stated. This decision reflects the team’s strategy to maximize rest for their starters in this critical best-of-seven series.
The Dodgers are focused on ensuring that they have four reliable starters, with Ohtani expected to pitch only once in the series. “Not as important,” Roberts remarked about the previous strategy of scheduling Ohtani before a day off. “It’s about appreciating having four starters who can potentially pitch twice.”
As the Dodgers prepare for Game 1, the Brewers are likely to utilize an opener strategy, with manager Pat Murphy indicating that they will select a pitcher who can provide length before transitioning to a starter for the bulk of the innings. “Game 1 looks, ‘OK, who on our team can give us length?'” Murphy explained. Potential candidates include Jose Quintana and Quinn Priester, while Freddy Peralta is slated to start Game 2.
Ohtani’s recent performance has raised questions, as he is currently hitting just .148 this postseason with a 4.50 ERA over six innings. When asked if the pitching plan was related to Ohtani’s struggles at the plate, Roberts dismissed the notion, stating, “No, not at all.”
As the Dodgers finalize their roster for the series, they are considering carrying only two catchers, given that Will Smith has recovered sufficiently from a hand injury. Roberts noted the need for further discussions before finalizing the roster.
With the NLCS set to begin tonight, fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an exciting showdown between these two competitive teams. The Dodgers hope their strategic decisions pay off as they aim for a path to the World Series.
Stay tuned for live updates as this story develops.
