Who’s available out of Dodgers bullpen? Probably not Shohei Ohtani or Blake Snell
Game 3 could be the biggest test yet for the Dodgers’ bullpen, especially if they are in position to close out the series.
Unlike in the wild-card round and Game 1 of the National League Division Series, Tyler Glasnow will not be available in relief, as he is projected to start Game 4 if the series gets there.
Manager Dave Roberts also effectively ruled out the possibility of using Game 1 starter Shohei Ohtani or Game 2 starter Blake Snell in relief — even though they wouldn’t be back online to make a start until Game 5 on Saturday.
“I’m staying away from that,” Roberts said. “They’re not a part of any kind of equation or math that I’m thinking through.”
The bigger question will be the status of Emmet Sheehan (who pitched two innings in Game 2 on Monday) and Roki Sasaki (who has pitched in each of the team’s past three games in the last week.
“They should be out there playing catch right now,” Roberts said pregame, adding that he’d talk with pitching coach Mark Prior and bullpen coach Josh Bard to see how they’re feeling ahead of first pitch.
Alex Vesia has pitched in all four of the team’s playoff games so far, though has thrown only 12 total pitches in his two appearances this series, which should keep him viable as an option.
Blake Treinen is in a similar boat with three appearances this postseason, but he also gave up two runs on three hits without recording an out in his last appearance in the ninth inning Monday.
One pitcher the Dodgers have yet to use in the playoffs: Clayton Kershaw, who has been shifted to a bullpen role this October.
They have three other left-handers who have yet to pitch this series, as well: Tanner Scott, Anthony Banda and Jack Dreyer.