Dodgers' bullpen depth chews up innings

LOS ANGELES -- With a depleted rotation heading into the postseason, a big part of the Dodgers’ strategy was to be able to “read and react” to situations as they arise.

So how, exactly, do they react to starter Clayton Kershaw recording just one out while allowing six earned runs in an 11-2 loss to the D-backs in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday at Dodger Stadium?

The first move was to turn to rookie Emmet Sheehan. On the roster for long relief, Sheehan provided 3 2/3 innings on 71 pitches and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts.

“Obviously, I wish it could’ve gone a little better for me and the team, but I think to be able to be trusted to do that, it's awesome,” said Sheehan. “And I wish I could have gotten through a couple more, but to help take the stress off the bullpen is great.”

Shelby Miller took over in the fifth and threw two innings on 27 pitches. Michael Grove, Alex Vesia and Caleb Ferguson followed with an inning apiece. The large deficit allowed the Dodgers to stay away from many of their high-leverage arms, and with an off-day on Sunday, they should have a mostly fresh relief corps available for Game 2 on Monday, with the exception of Sheehan.

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Another rookie, Bobby Miller, is slated to start that night in what will be his postseason debut. The 24-year-old was able to work deep into games regularly throughout the season. Miller pitched at least into the sixth in 16 of his 22 starts -- including a pair of six-inning outings against the D-backs in August.

“I have a lot of confidence out there going against these guys,” Bobby Miller said before Game 1. “I faced them twice already. They got to me a little more the second time against them. But I'll do my best not to let it happen a third time.”

Still, with the D-backs handing the ball to their ace in Zac Gallen, it’s likely that runs will be at a premium for Los Angeles in Game 2. If that game is close in the late innings, Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips will be the go-to guys, as they have for most of the season. Ryan Brasier and Joe Kelly are also in line for such opportunities. If there’s a need for long relief again, Grove would be best suited to that role, with Sheehan down and left-hander Ryan Yarbrough left off L.A.’s NLDS roster.

As far as what comes after that, although the Dodgers have yet to reveal their pitching plans for Game 3, it appears it will be a piggyback situation with Lance Lynn and Ryan Pepiot, with the order to be determined. Pepiot, also in line to make his playoff debut, threw a simulated game on Saturday in anticipation of that.

“Ryan's looked great,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “... Right versus left, the head, the throw, all that stuff, he's really checked a lot of boxes and really grown.”

From there, should the Dodgers force a Game 4 on Thursday, that’ll be Kershaw’s spot again. Thanks to the off-days in the schedule, he’ll be on full rest. In which case, maybe it could work to L.A.’s advantage that he threw just 35 pitches on Saturday.

"I don’t think anybody in the baseball world was expecting that,” first baseman Freddie Freeman said of Kershaw’s performance. “But the next time Clayton Kershaw is on that mound, we’ll be just as confident again. Hopefully, we can get him back on that mound.”