Gonsolin gets ball in crucial NLDS Game 3

LOS ANGELES -- It speaks to the Dodgers’ depth that, even after losing ace Walker Buehler for the season to Tommy John surgery, their choice for National League Division Series Game 3 starter still came down to a pair of 2022 All-Stars.

With the series tied following a 5-3 loss in Game 2 on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers have opted to go with right-hander Tony Gonsolin for Friday’s matchup in San Diego. Left-hander Tyler Anderson will start Game 4 on Saturday, manager Dave Roberts confirmed.

Roberts explained the decision between the two pitchers ultimately came down to the Dodgers feeling more confident with their bullpen options following Thursday’s off-day. Everyone will be available out of the bullpen, which is particularly important because Gonsolin isn’t fully stretched out and would likely be limited to three or four innings, five at most.

“Tyler has more length than Tony,” Roberts said Thursday. “So to be able to come off an off-day, have your full disposal of ‘pen arms available, I think, just equipped us the best to prevent runs for Game 3.”

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In his first season as a full-fledged member of the Dodgers’ rotation, Gonsolin performed at an elite level, posting a 2.14 ERA in 24 starts. However, he missed nearly a month and a half late in the year with a right forearm strain, returning for one final regular-season appearance on Oct. 3, in which he threw two innings and allowed one run vs. the Rockies.

Gonsolin said he “had a really good bullpen” leading up to Friday's start and tossed four simulated innings during the Dodgers’ workouts before the start of the NLDS.

“I feel like I’m good to go however many we need,” Gonsolin said.

Should it be a short night for Gonsolin, the Dodgers have a couple of long relief options available. Andrew Heaney, who spent most of the year starting but made two appearances out of the bullpen late in the season, is one possibility. There’s also Dustin May, who missed the end of the season due to lower back tightness but has been stretching out via simulated games, including a three-inning outing on Sunday.

Neither May nor Heaney have appeared yet in this series. Roberts also added that if the Dodgers “have to use six arms” to prevent runs on Friday, then that’s what they’ll do.

“There’s a few guys [the Padres] haven’t seen yet,” Roberts said. “I think that we’ve got an opportunity with a compilation of arms to change and vary looks that they don’t get the same looks two or three or four times.”

Both Gonsolin and Anderson fared well against the Padres this season. In 12 2/3 innings across two starts vs. San Diego, Gonsolin allowed just one run. Anderson had a 1.88 ERA (five earned runs in 24 innings) in his four outings against the Friars.

As Anderson told the Dodgers: “Whenever you want me to pitch, I'm available. If you want me to pitch tonight, I'm available. If you want me to pitch Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and you want me to pitch tomorrow in live BP so guys can face left-handed pitching, I'll pitch then, too.”

One advantage to starting Gonsolin is that, after the Padres faced left-handers Julio Urías and Clayton Kershaw in Games 1 and 2, respectively, they will be forced to make some adjustments to their lineup. On the flip side, Los Angeles also has some changes in store going up against left-hander Blake Snell in Game 3. That includes Trayce Thompson getting the start in center field over Cody Bellinger.

Bellinger has scuffled at the plate this season, but his elite glovework in center was enough to justify him to get the first two postseason starts vs. right-handers. The calculus changes with a southpaw starting -- just as it did in the eighth inning on Wednesday, when Bellinger was due up vs. the Padres’ left-handed closer Josh Hader and Roberts opted to pinch-hit Austin Barnes.

“I know [Bellinger] is doing the best he can, and he snuck in a knock tonight,” Roberts said. “He still is working through some things, but yeah, I mean, at some point we're going to need that offense, certainly.”

Chris Taylor, who didn’t appear in the first two games of the series, will slot into left field, where Thompson started on Tuesday and Wednesday. When asked why Barnes was chosen to sub for Bellinger instead of Taylor, Roberts said that choice had nothing to do with Taylor’s health and more to do with the matchup.

Barnes will get the start behind the plate in Game 3 given his success against Snell. Will Smith will serve as the designated hitter and Max Muncy will be in the lineup at second base over Gavin Lux.