In an attempt to throw off the Atlanta Braves ahead of their NLDS matchup, the Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to pass up on starting ace Clayton Kershaw for Game 1 Thursday evening.
Instead, the team will go with Hyun-jin Ryu over the ace.
Dodgers flip the script. Hyun-jin Ryu starts Game 1, and Clayton Kershaw goes in Game 2
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) October 3, 2018
This has to be considered a pretty big surprise. Despite his October struggles, Kershaw has been the go-to guy for Los Angeles during the postseason. We’re not too sure what the idea behind this move is. Though, it could technically enable Kershaw to start Game 5 on full rest.
Kershaw, 30, pitched to a 9-5 record with a 2.73 ERA during an injury-plagued regular season. He boasts a career 4.35 playoff ERA compared to a 2.39 mark during the regular season.
For his part, Ryu pitched to a stellar 1.97 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 15 starts during the regular year.