Dodgers manager Dave Roberts declined the opportunity to definitively name his game seven starter after tonight’s win, per J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group and others (via Twitter).
Tony Gonsolin lines up for the job after stepping in to start game two for Clayton Kershaw. Gonsolin is not the guy the Dodgers would plan in a vacuum to take the ball in a must-win moment, but he nonetheless remains the most likely to see chunk innings tomorrow night, per MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick (via Twitter). The 26-year-old Gonsolin served as as swingman the past two seasons for the Dodgers, performing ably to a 2.60 ERA/3.02 FIP across 86 2/3 innings. His game two start was his first and only postseason appearance, however. He lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 7.
Kershaw will be on just two days rest after back spasms scratched him from his originally-scheduled game two start. Roberts will check in with him tomorrow to see about the possibility of appearing in relief, notes Gurnick. Kershaw in relief hasn’t always ended the way the Dodgers would have liked, including last postseason when he surrendered back-to-back home runs to Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto to tie a similar win-or-go-home game five of the NLDS. Still, he’s a weapon if he’s available. In that same game against the Nationals, remember, he entered the game to retire Adam Eaton – which he did, via strikeout. It was only when pushed to another inning that the Nats’ big guns got the best of him.
The Dodgers could turn to Julio Urías in a similar capacity, though Urías would be throwing on three days rest after tossing over 100 pitches in game three’s shellacking. After tonight, Walker Buehler is probably the only arm on the roster who is absolutely outside the realm of possibility. Closer Kenley Jansen could also be a difficult call. He’s returned to form, but an outing tomorrow night would be three consecutive games and four in the last five.
Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register put forth an interesting suggestion (via Twitter): Brusdar Graterol could function as an opener to be followed by Gonsolin and Urías. The hard-throwing Graterol has to be pretty high up the list in terms of likelihood of seeing action – especially since he didn’t make his way into game six. Putting him out there to start the game would certainly be interesting. He was a starter for most of his minor league career with the Twins, after all.
How about kershaw
Lol all due respect to Kershaw for what he’s done, but no one wants playoff Kershaw in an elimination game.
Give me any kershaw over any Phillies pitcher of the last half decade
What about Roy Halladay? Steve Carlton? Both in HOF. Cliff Lee had a short good run.
And you’d still be wrong.
@dball1 “last half decade”.
If you want to pull any player from franchise history I’m sure that the dodgers would be happy going with Orel or Sandy
I’d take Doc and Lefty
Steve Carlton screams this last decade
Any Kershaw over any Phillies pitcher the last half decade. That’s easy. The Phillies were awful.
And the Dodgers have the same amount of World Series titles as the Phillies in that time
Maybe Hamels? Kershaw better regular season but I believe Cole has a ring and a WS MVP.
Aaron Nola and Wheeler are good pitchers
Reading is hard
It appears that crafting coherent sentences is as well.
Yeah? I’m taking Cole Hamels ten times out of ten over Kershaw in the playoffs (on the team in 2015). He earned these awards called the NLCS and WS MVPs. Heard of them? I’m also easily taking Zack Wheeler or Aaron Nola over him as well. H*ll I might even take Zach Eflin.
Any kershaw. Regular, postseason, relief. Any version of kershaw
Amazing how hard it is for so many people to read one sentence. Finish the sentence guys
Remember 2015!?
Honestly I couldn’t give a damn about 2015 anymore. Sorry you still do
Give me the HOF’er thanks
Aaron Nola is hardly even an ace.
You’re not wrong, but the Dodgers struggle mightily against the NL East in the playoffs going back well over a decade.
More than half a decade ago
He’s a dependable #2. Let’s not act like Kershaw’s back has not severely limited his performance in the last 3 years.
I’d rather have Pancho and Lefty
AndyMeyer you nailed it!
Well John the last half decade is the last 5 years. So ok Kershaw was better than any Philly team, that mostly stunk the last 5 years. That impresses you but no one else
Ok, but only if it’s the Dylan version.
Lol the first Philly pitcher where it’s even a conversation is Halladay. Everyone else is a drop in the career of Kershaw.
Dodger fans better hope Roberts doesn’t trot his ass out there with a lead late in the game
Hopefully they throw the Greg Maddox Kershaw out there and the Braves go to the series. Great regular season pitchers who should be left off any post season roster.
Gotta love a Braves fan rooting for a maddux from kershaw
No way in heck do we wanna see Kershaw…except in the dugout
Whomever they go with, they will only win if the Braves decide to hand them another free win…which the Braves will likely do.
I have confidence in Anderson but don’t have much confidence in the offense. The longer they keep pretending Acuna is a lead-off hitter, the longer they will beat themselves in the head thinking why they are not scoring despite having a very good 2-6.
The Dodgers are nothing special. They are beatable, but leave it to this choke job organization to choke again – hopefully this time they will fire their terrible manager.
The question is, will the Braves put up a fight, or will the game be over after the first inning again.
This is not specifically aimed at you, but I’ve seen way too many Brave fans give up on Twitter. Maybe the Braves choke because of pessimism fans like you… this is the best Braves team in decades and are 1 win away from the World Series with a young team. Relax
What makes them the best team in decades? They are only in this position because of Anderson. Going into the season, they did not address their rotation and now they are paying the price. They beat the Reds and Marlins to get here – nothing impressive.
If they were great, they would have won the series already. They handed two free wins to the Dodgers last 2 nights. If they are great, let them prove it tomorrow.
What makes them best team in decades?
Well, ah, first time in NLCS since 1999 (2020-1999=21 years (2 decades)). They didn’t address the rotation…?!?! Sigh. I’ll let someone else rattle off the same boring list of transactions that dispute that ridiculous claim and how much bad luck Braves have had to overcome that matured many Braves pitchers much more so than their fans.
Sorry but getting to the NLCS is a relatively weak argument for best team in decades.
Most accomplished team in decades? Sure. Best doesn’t necessarily mean most accomplished.
Better teams (that failed to live up to expectations):
2002
2003
2004
2013
You could make a case for 2010 as well but that is a closer debate.
Then I’d rather have not the best team go to or win the World Series. smh
MJ: 2010 was a great team until injuries wrecked it down the stretch … The best Braves team I’ve seen is probably the 2012 version and they should’ve bit the bullet and grabbed Grienke Milwaukee made him available that year at the deadline … My favorite team was the 2018 team, just because their were no expectations and they rode that to the best in the division.
Best team in decades??? Their pitching is in shambles. It’s a miracle they’ve made it this far. People were picking the Reds to knock them out, or have you forgotten that already.
Not even close to the best Braves team in decades, but nice try
They had no pitching in 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019 as well, yet they are a game from the World Series this year. And they had enough pitching this year, but Soroka went down with a fluke injury.
Although I agree, if the Braves do win tomorrow then I don’t think they’ll win the WS because the staff is all out of whack.
2013 had no pitching? They ranked first in team ERA in 2013
Starting to question if you actually watched games prior to this year.
They started Freddy Garcia in a playoff game in 2013, but sure, they had “enough” pitching
What are we even arguing here? The Braves haven’t had a viable rotation since their big trio split.
I 10000% believe Anderson will be an ace. I love Soroka too. With Fried in the #3 where he belongs, this trio can be a great. Truly unfortunate Soroka got hurt. I just don’t see this team being competitive again after this season with AA as GM. Mets and Phillies will only get better.
If I remember right Garcia outpitched Kershaw same as Wilson
But yeah keep arguing against straight facts.
Best team era in 2013; league average era in 2020
These are indisputable. Don’t be mad you’re getting owned hard right now. Accept it like an adult.
Say it with me “I was wrong.” I’d have a lot more respect for you right now. You already lost the argument, don’t lose respect out of stubbornness
lmao, you’re only using ERA to prove your point. 2013 is the year Medlen pitched over his head and again, they were using 36 year old Freddy Garcia as a playoff starter. It was pure luck he pitched as well as he did. As SorokaAnkle said, they have not had a playoff caliber rotation since over 15 years ago
Didn’t you want the Braves to trade Anderson a couple of months ago? What changed your mind?
Same old nonsense about fried and Acuna. Find me another 3 starter with fried’s stats this season. 7-0, 2.25 era., 1.09 whip, 1.9 fwar. Will expect the usual no answer from you. Lol
Don’t worry, after his next span of 2 bad starts then he will claim that he is a 4th starter and Acuna striking out is why anderson sucks. You can win with this pseudo fan
You do not remember right. Freddy Garcia did not outpitch Clayton Kershaw in the 2013 NLDS Game 4. Besides the fact that Kershaw pitched and won Game 1 (in which Garcia did not appear), Kershaw allowed 3 hits and 0 ER in Game 4. A throwing error led to both runs scoring late, giving Kershaw a no decision.
The Marlins say hi
That “people were picking the Reds to knock them out” is hardly relevant for two reasons. 1. Every series will have “people” backing each side. Reds fans were backing the Reds, just as Braves fans were backing the Braves. And 2. THEY WERE WRONG! The Braves knocked out the Reds, and that is what is relevant.
The Braves lose because of pessimistic fans? Here I was thinking the players determine the outcomes of games.
You don’t think the younger players check Twitter and see all the toxic fans?
Fred- There were a lotta Dodger fans being babies down 3-1 as well
@Fred He’s not a Braves fan at all, he just pretends to be one because he’s a pretender.
The Braves lost because of the 7-9 hitters stranding runners. Acuna had nothing to do with that.
Truly a heartbreak tonight. Riley will never be a good hitter, but I was very disappointed with Markakis tonight.
The team’s offense lives with the top of the order and Acuna is not getting on base for Freeman and Ozuna.
If you think Acuña isn’t playing hurt right now you’re out of your mind. Would not be at all surprised to hear that he needs wrist surgery after their postseason ends.
Let’s say he is hurt – why is he still leading off? Why is he not bunting? The guy is swinging for the fences every at-bat. Get on ****ing base if you are leading off. If not, move him down so he can drive in runs. That is where he belongs.
What makes you think he’s hurt? Just his general play or did something specific happen?
Nagging wrist injury all season and obviously exacerbated in the play the other day. Probably not serious enough to take him out of the series because you still have value with him in the outfield and leading off.
Because if he does get on, drawing a walk or whatever, then he still is great on the basepath. Who are you going to hit lead off? Acuña hurt is still better than anybody else you could put in that spot.
Ahh gotcha, thanks
@Soroka watch the first three at bats of game 7 then ask again why Acuna is leading off
Give more credit to Mookie taking runs away from ATL on multiple nights making improbable catches/throws. There’s very few people that could do what he’s doing in RF this series.
I concur with Braves not having a viable rotation since 15 years ago. They are really lucky. This is the Dodgers’ game to lose.
If that’s how you feel then feel free to find a new team. Sick and tired of fair weathered fans. Just remember ESPN said we wouldn’t win the division or make the playoffs. Everyone wrote us off against the Reds due to our starting pitching injuries. Suck it up or move on.
Here’s a crazy thought: maybe the Dodgers are just capable of winning two games in a row.
The Dodgers are pretty special. You just sound like a pretty miserable fan, to be honest.
Wah wah wah.
Broken record keeps spinning.
Boy, your sure a Ray of sunshine are’nt you
Acuna is a leadoff hitter. Statistically, he’s proven better hitting in that spot. When a young star finds a comfort zone you don’t change it. Yes, I did say star, Sororka’sHealingAnkle- because as much as you want to try and bang the drum, he’s not overrated. I also don’t understand why you changed your name? When you make ridiculous statements such as that, we can ALL tell who you are- even if you just go by John.
That is all baloney. Acuna has not been in the majors long enough to use that argument. Acuna is not a leadoff hitter, period. He strikes out way too much to be there. Now whether the Braves care about that is a different story. I’m not stating they MUST move him down or else. I just think they will be better if they do.
Regardless, the offense as a whole needs to show up tonight. The Dodgers don’t have good pitching tonight. Anderson is an ace and hopefully, he shows it again.
“Why is he not bunting?”.
Chances are Acuña hasn’t practiced bunting very much, so it’s not part of his repertoire. It’s not easy to do. Asking him to do it in the playoffs is asking for failure.
How is that a viable argument? I’m pretty sure if the Braves tell him to stop trying to hit home runs every at-bat and learn to bunt and make good contact, he will.
I’m still firm on Swanson leading off, but if Pache develops well enough, he will probably be the first to get the opportunity.
Strikeouts are more of a problem for a cleanup than a leadoff. OBP is more important for a leadoff, and Acuna had a .406 OBP in 2020, which is elite.
Remember that person does not actually look at stats. Just spews out feelings.
The Dodgers wonder why they get bounced from the playoffs every year yet they keep trying to do too much with their pitching. Why is Dustin May pitching 2 innings? Why can’t they start Gonsolin, who has been one of their most reliable starters this year?
Ask Roberts. He’s the worst at managing pitchers. He’s lost the last two World Series runs. I think he’s great with the players, but he makes too many moves. Throw in enough pitchers in a game and sooner or later o w won’t have his food stuff. Kershaw as a reliever has been a disaster. Don’t go there. Even tonight. Why not have Baez start the 9th? He looked good in the 8th. Keep him in. Worst case a guy gets on and you pull him. Best case, he finishes and Jansen is ready tomorrow. Why is it that Dodger starters can’t even go to 100 pitches anymore? Always pulled between 80-90. Or less. And relief pitchers can’t pitch more than one inning?
Every team is pulling their starters in between 90-100 pitches. This is not a Dave Roberts problem
Pigging-backing off the last paragraph: Graterol served as an opener for the Dodgers a few times this season.
That was before they had closer issues.
I’d say you can’t use both gonsolin and urias, but the World Series has off days so you have room to use some arms. May lines up as the game 1 starter then if they win? It’s a tough call. I’d be tempted to start Kershaw and give him 2 innings or a base runner in the 2nd inning. Get as many out of gonsolin as you can, go to urius if needed, and from there you hope to hand it off to trienen/Graterol? Match up with kolerek? You can’t plan these things out. Idk. Just rambling.
Oriole person. Absolutely right. Start kershaw! Then Gonsolin, then Urias, then the other 12 pitchers on the roster. Oh, and one more thing. Do not under any circumstances allow Roberts to even talk to Dodger pitchers, much less make any pitching decisions. World Series here we come.
You’re gonna piece it together. you think gonsolin will go 7? That’s a great plan. You just had Charlie Morton get pulled in the 6th giving up 2 hits. This is game 7 you’re gonna pitch at least 4 guys
“chunk innings?”
Graterol for 1, maybe thru osuna
Gonsolin 1 trip through lineup, hopefully 2-3 innings
Urias, 1 trip through lineup, again hopefully 2-3.
If either SP looks good, give them a longer leash
I would expect to see May for an inning, kershaw probably throws 1, let’s be honest.
If Graterol doesn’t come in till later, Gonsolin starts then Urias. Urias’ worst inning is the 1st and la will avoid it if possible
I expect most of the guys listed above to come into clean innings, so we may see some Kolarek or Gonzalez mixed in. But that generally gets them into the late innings, and they’re gonna go with Kenley again if there’s a lead. Jmo Roberts isn’t going to die on his relievers arms
If Kershaw is going to pitch at all, start him. He is not a reliever. Keep him on a short leash and have a couple of guys ready behind him. He will be fine.
Could go kershaw- Gonsolin- Urias sure
I don’t mind starting kershaw in a opener like setting. Main point I was getting at is Urias doesn’t start the game I don’t think. Too many 1st inning problems, and we saw today games can be done in 1st
Only reason I mentioned him later is the probably don’t *want* to use kershaw. But with it being G7 i guess it’s likely a matter of when not if
If Graterol starts Acuna will absolutely lead off with a HR
Doesn’t matter who they pick. They’ll win.
Spilt milk but they shoulda pulled Urias game 3 after 2 inns at 20 pitches then they coulda had
Grat 2 inns Urias 4 or 5
Trienan Kenley with Victor Gonzo ready in a pinch
Having Grat go the first 2 might be the way to go. IM going to be honest as a Dodegr fan and say we are a much better team playing the top of the hill than scrapping back- Get the clean 2 hopefully and give the 0ffense 2 swings to get a lead for the next guy
Have to wonder if 80% of the posters here even like baseball- We have a game friggin 7 on hand and most of you just want to spout hatred on your keyboards. SMH, enjoy the show tomorrow
Once again the Doyers will attempt a raid on Anderson and try and ring up his pitch count in the first or knock him out. In all games pitched by Fried and Anderson the Dodgers have sought to establish the game in the first. A good efficient inning in the 1st by Anderson will bode well for the rest of the game. If the Doyers score early as they did against Fried, I can’t see the Braves coming back unfortunately, as the Doyers have a tsunami of momentum at present, but I’d love to be wrong. I’d let Sandoval start at third, as the Braves need that experience that has been missing and he can switch hit which is a bonus, but I know more than likely Snitker won’t do it. Riley is just not productive at the plate at this stage of his career, and Sandoval could have been used far earlier in game 6 with runners on, he made good contact in his only at bat.
There’s no next game……
This is classic. A few days ago, Braves fans were selling us on how loose the team is and how it was gonna be a 5-game series. Fast forward to now, and you people are now ripping each other to shreds, as panic sets in and the reality sets that there’s a real possibility your team will go home today. Just reinforces to me how insufferable the Braves fanbase is as a whole.
Fortunately for you undeserving Braves fans, the game is played on the field by players who probably aren’t panicking nearly as much you are, though they sure don’t seem as loose as they did when they had a 2-0 lead.
As a 40 year Dodgers fan, I hope your team is the one to choke this year instead of mine, but I know that anything can happen in a game 7 and that the outcome is basically a coin toss.
Oh, and Soroka’sHealingAnkle, this post is directly aimed at you, as you can’t seem to fathom that these are two very evenly matched teams, either of which could win the WS. The Braves are not, as you believe, so far superior to the Dodgers that their 3 wins were gifted by the Braves. That take just makes you look foolish and you should feel very bad for publishing it.
I don’t know who is going to win today, but I hope it’s my Dodgers for obvious reasons, and also because of the inevitable meltdown of bipolar Braves fans.
Apologies to the reasonable Braves fans like RunDMC, as this isn’t really directed at you.
SorokasAnkle is not a Braves fan. He’s changed his username from BumgarnerequalsNLCS, to Acunaisoverrated, to Sorokashealingankle, so he probably has an identity issue, he never says anything good about the Braves, so all comments by him from his basement should be treated with the absolute scorn & disdain that they deserve.
I’ve got nothing but respect for both teams, but the Dodgers experience up and down the lineup may count for more, I hope not.
Don’t forget 200kpsuedostar and Sind more b4 that. He has a man crush
on for Acuna and fried. He argues based on feelings and opinions but forgets to use facts. Probably a teenage girl
Dodgers are showing how deep they are 1-9 as our 7-9 hitters continue struggle and strand sooo many runners. I know Snitker gets a lot of crap but having a bullpen game 5 was the right move. Fried was great last night aside from the 1st inning, and did we really think we could beat the best pitcher in baseball right in Bueller twice?! That being said I’d rather be on the side with a fully rested Ian Anderson who doesn’t seemed fazed by the moment rather than contemplating a bullpen game for a Game 7. Could really go either way tonight!….how’s that for some optimism @signallthecubans ?! lol
Yeah, for all the angst over the SP going into the playoffs, they have performed well. These are two very evenly matched teams. The difference, to me, has been the Dodgers 7-9 hitters have proven capable while the Braves 7-9 have struggled. Riley looks overmatched, Markakis can’t catch up on strong heat and Pache (as we all knew) is a defensive first OF right now.
Losing Duvall hurt. I’m fine with Nick as a PH or 4th OF, but he should not be starting at this point. They’re left without a choice, though.
Credit to the LAD though, they’re still making the pitches they need. Kenley easily could have imploded last night, but he didn’t. Their OF has made some fine defensive plays and Seager is on fire. Whomever wins will have earned it.
A zero ERA makes me wary… no one ever has a zero ERA for a long time.
Urias to start makes the most sense. Him gonsolin and Graterol make up the most of the game. They should be in a good spot w that make up
Really hope the Anderson can keep his hot streak going
I hope the Braves win, but if they don’t, at least Houston lost.
The Braves had their chances in this last game. They had a hiccup in the first inning, but other than that pitched very well, and they got a lot of men on base. They just couldn’t string together the hits.
Looking forward to tonight.
You could pull Big Papi out of the studio and pitch him 9 inning and the Braves wouldn’t get a hit tonight. This is postseason Braves/Atlanta, choke in the big moments.
They didn’t choke. It’s not as if they’re playing a lesser level of competition. The Dodgers are really, really good.
Can’t believe they just used as evidence that Kershaw is not good in relief because he gave up back to back homeruns to what was probably two of the top five hitters in the National League last season.
I think I’m going to watch this one.
It’s not a lot of fun – for me anyway – watching baseball after the Yankees have been eliminated.
This should be a good one, man.
It’s nice not really having a dog in the fight.
Already got out on the water early this morning. Got into some divers. They’ll make a good dinner. Naively going to watch the Jints in a few. Then catch – hopefully – some good football & baseball this evening.
Nice Sunday in Autumn.
Just replace the B with an F.
Tony G is underrated. He should come in as a middle guy because he can’t go much more than 6. Last game he filled in for a hurt Kershaw and had already pitched a siulated just 2 days before. He was not ready and used improperly by Roberts who has no clue. he will be good for at least 5 and is as good as anyone when used right.
I have to assume Gonsolin to start, followed by a series of random pitchers in relief, and I just hope we don’t see Baez in a close game.
Braves need Acuna to break out tonight , he hasen’t done much this NLCS
Enough about the Dodgers. Who’s going to be the yankees third string catcher next year? Now there’s a story.