Nolasco slated for Game 4, Kershaw available
LOS ANGELES – Dodgers manager Don Mattingly still insists that right-hander Ricky Nolasco will be his starter in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Monday, but if the Dodgers find themselves on the brink of elimination, it's likely that Clayton Kershaw will be called.
Mattingly doesn't want to consider that option, at least not until he has to, but Nolasco conceded Sunday that he's aware it's an option that could be used if the Dodgers lose Game 3 to the Atlanta Braves. Their best-of-five series is tied 1-1.
"This isn't about me," Nolasco said. "This is about the team. Whatever decision they make is going to be the best decision for the team.
"I'll be here ready to take the ball whenever they ask me to pitch."
Mattingly hasn't wavered from his pronouncement that Nolasco will pitch, saying on Sunday, "Right now Ricky is the pitcher in Game 4. That's what we've decided, so right now Ricky is the pitcher."
Everything, of course, is always subject to change.
Nolasco, who is from Corona, had a strong start after he was acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins on July 6. He was 8-1 with a 2.07 ERA in his first 12 starts, then struggled over his final three, giving up 24 hits and 17 earned runs in 13 innings and losing twice.
"With Ricky, it's a matter of how he uses his breaking ball and if he's going to have command and be able to get the fastball where he wants," Mattingly said. "He's a guy that basically is going to use a couple of different breaking balls. He can change speeds on it and change the shapes on it a little bit and be able to use that to get him ahead in the count and get back in the count."
Nolasco hasn't won since Sept. 9, and if the Dodgers win Sunday he'll probably have an opportunity to close out the series in four games.
"I feel like everything's been good," he said. "My mechanics, no matter the results my last couple of starts, felt good. Arm felt good. Just a couple of things here and there, so I'll be fine and ready to go."