Buehler gets G4, his first start on 3 days' rest

LOS ANGELES -- When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said “everything’s on the table” for Tuesday’s Game 4 of the National League Division Series, he indicated that could include an appearance from Walker Buehler, who started Game 1 and would be pitching on three days’ rest.

Following a 1-0 loss to the Giants on Monday, with the Dodgers trailing two games to one in this best-of-five series, not only will Buehler appear on Tuesday, but the Dodgers announced he’ll make the start, the first of his career on short rest.

The idea for Buehler to start Game 4 came from Buehler himself, who first made the offer following Game 2. Roberts said that, if the Dodgers lost Game 3, starting Buehler in Game 4 was a “no-brainer,” so long as the right-hander woke up on Tuesday feeling good. He did, and the assignment was his.

“It shows his leadership,” said Roberts. “It shows his buy-in to his teammates, the coaches, the organization, and [we feel good] knowing that tonight he's our best option to start and he didn't run from it.”

Although this is a first for Buehler, the scenario of an ace starting a potential elimination game on short rest is one that is quite familiar to Dodgers fans. Clayton Kershaw, who’s out for the 2021 postseason due to left forearm discomfort, pitched on short rest in the NLDS on multiple occasions over the Dodgers’ past eight postseason runs, with varying degrees of success. Buehler has talked to both Kershaw and Max Scherzer about their experience pitching in the playoffs on short rest, according to Roberts.

Since this will be the first time in Buehler’s Major League career that he’s pitching on short rest, there is no precedent to predict performance for him. But the NL Cy Young Award candidate has an overall record that speaks for itself, with a 2.47 ERA in 2021 and a career postseason ERA of 2.53 in 67 2/3 innings. He has the confidence of his teammates, too, as both Blake Treinen and Chris Taylor described Buehler as one of the best postseason pitchers they’ve seen.

“I think he's going to do what he does all year long: He's going to throw the ball pretty well,” Albert Pujols said of Buehler. “I know he's coming on short rest, but I think he's going to be pretty excited. The fans are really going to be really excited, and hopefully we can push this game to Game 5 in San Francisco.”

In six regular-season starts against the Giants in 2021, Buehler allowed nine earned runs in 37 innings (2.19 ERA). Despite surrendering a pair of home runs in Game 1 of the NLDS in San Francisco, he was effective enough, charged with three earned runs in 6 1/3 innings while receiving no offensive support.

Though Buehler is not on a hard pitch limit, he will be on a shorter leash than he would be starting on normal rest. And after Buehler, almost everyone will be available out of the bullpen as the Dodgers try to keep their season alive. With a shorter-than-average night for Buehler being a distinct possibility, Tony Gonsolin could be the guy the Dodgers turn to for length. Gonsolin missed two extended stretches of the season with right shoulder inflammation, but both he and Roberts indicated that the ailment is no longer an issue.

“I'm feeling a lot better,” Gonsolin said on Monday. “Definitely back to normal, ready to build on that and get my first playoff appearance out of the way.”

Gonsolin started the season on the injured list and didn’t make his 2021 debut until June 9, posting a 2.78 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) prior to landing on the IL again in late July. After a six-week absence, he returned to make five appearances (four starts) in September, in which he allowed nine earned runs in 20 innings, but showed signs of putting things together as he built back up in game action.

“He's looked good recently,” said catcher Will Smith. “His velo is up. His command's been a lot better. … He should come out and give us some quality innings, and I expect a good [outing] from him tomorrow.”

Beyond Buehler and Gonsolin, Roberts has ample options. Thanks to Scherzer’s seven-inning, one-run effort on Monday, the Dodgers only needed two relief innings in Game 3, with Blake Treinen throwing a 15-pitch eighth and Kenley Jansen delivering a 14-pitch ninth. It was the first appearance of the series for both pitchers, and both should be available on Tuesday, while the rest of the bullpen is also well rested.

Aside from Scherzer, the only other pitcher who is off limits is Game 2 starter Julio Urías, despite his great deal of success going back and forth between starting and relieving in last year’s postseason. Even though they’re going with the all-hands-on-deck approach, the Dodgers’ ultimate goal is to force a Game 5, and since Buehler is starting Game 4, Roberts confirmed Urías will start on Thursday if the series returns to San Francisco.