World Series Notebook: LA has several G2 pitching options

Los Angeles Dodgers have several options for pitching Game 2 of World Series, and manr Dave Roberts preferred to keep it that way. only certainly is that y won't be depending on only one guy.

“It’s going to be a bullpen, whatever, kind of game, using various arms,” Roberts said before Game 1 Tuesday night. “Who starts that game, I just don’t kw yet.”

Tampa Bay Rays have 2018 AL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell lined up to start Wednesday night. Snell was 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA in 11 regular-season starts this year, and is 2-2 with a 3.20 ERA in four postseason starts.

Among options for Dodgers is Julio Urias, 24-year-old lefty alrey in his fourth postseason. He closed out Game 7 of NL Championship Series by retiring last nine Atlanta batters on 39 pitches. He is 4-0 in his four appearances this postseason. His only start was NLCS Game 3, when he pitched five innings in a 15-3 win when Dodgers h a record 11-run first before he threw his first pitch.

Dustin May has started three of his five games, but all of his appearances have been two innings of less. Fellow rookie right-hander and NLCS Game 2 starter Tony Gonsolin is also in mix.

Depending on if and how Urias is used before n, he could also be a potential starter for Game 4, though Roberts again was revealing plans.

“To keep that optionality just makes sense, and to have Julio be in with us and understanding how we value him, certainly it’s helpful,” Roberts said.

Snell has faced Dodgers only once in his career, in September 2019 at Dodger Stium, when he stuck out four while retiring all six batters he faced in his return from 10-day injured list.

KERSHAW Ks

Dodgers right-hander Clayton Kershaw became only second pitcher ever with at least 200 postseason strikeouts.

Kershaw's eight strikeouts through first five innings in Game 1 on Tuesday night gave three-time National League Cy Young Award winner 201 postseason Ks.

A strikeout of Willy ames for second out in fifth was Kershaw's 200th. He joined Justin Verlander (205) as only pitchers to reach that mark. After Kevin Kiermaier's solo homer, Kershaw ended fifth by striking out Mike Zuni.

. 3 on postseason strikeout list is John Smoltz at 199.

CASH IN TEXAS

Before Kevin Cash was hired as a first-time manr with Tampa Bay Rays in December 2014, he was also interviewed by Texas Rangers and was one finalists for ir vacancy that offseason.

w Cash is leing Rays in ir first World Series since 2008, which is being played in Rangers' new $1.2 billion stium with a retractable roof.

Cash said he is still “extremely appreciative” of opportunity Rangers presented in that interview process, and said re was a time n that he was excited about wher he would get that job.

“But saying that, I’m pretty thrilled to be where I’m at, and in Tampa with all of people I get to work with on a daily basis,” Cash said before Game 1.

Jeff Banister got Rangers job after 2014 season. He won AL West titles his first two seasons, and was re two more years before Dodgers third base coach Chris Woodward replaced him two years ago.

While Rays h an AL-best 40-20 record in MLB's pandemic-shortened regular season, Rangers were at bottom of AL with a 22-38 record.

OPEN ROOF

Like it was throughout National League Division Series and NLCS games that Dodgers played re, retractable roof at Globe Life Field was open for World Series opener.

Major League Baseball plans to keep roof open through playoffs, except in case of rain. re is wet wear in immediate forecast.

It was a pleasant night for first World Series game played in Arlington since 2011, when Rangers played in ir second consecutive World Series. re were clear skies with temperature expected to drop from low 80s to mid-70s by midnight.

Im credits: AP