LOS ANGELES — After the Giants forced the Dodgers to the brink of elimination with a 1-0 win in Game 3 of the NLDS on Monday in Los Angeles, Dave Roberts was left with no choice.
The Dodgers manager wanted to save right-hander Walker Buehler for a potential Game 5 in San Francisco on Thursday, but to get to a winner-take-all matchup, Roberts is calling on Buehler to pitch on short rest for the first time in his major league career.
The All-Star right-hander took the loss in Game 1 of the NLDS against Giants ace Logan Webb, but he’s been outstanding against San Francisco this year as the former first round draft choice has posted a 2.49 ERA in seven starts including the one he made on Friday at Oracle Park.
Steven Duggar, who has homered and tripled off of Buehler this year, did not start Game 1 of the series and will not start Game 4 after playing excellent defense in center field in the Giants’ Game 3 shutout win
The Giants’ Game 2 starter, Kevin Gausman, will likely be available out of the bullpen on Tuesday, but Kapler is expected to save Webb for a potential Game 5
If the Dodgers force a Game 5, Roberts said lefty Julio Urías will start at Oracle Park on Thursday
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