Dodgers Playoff News: Dustin May to Start NLDS Game 3, Padres Name Morejón
Today the Dodgers announced that Dustin May would be getting the ball for NLDS game 3 against the Padres. May appeared in the series on Tuesday in relief of Walker Buehler and threw 27 pitches.
Dustin May starts for Dodgers tonight.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 8, 2020
The 22-year-old faces off against a San Diego lineup he’s excelled against in 2020. Aside from his 2 shutout innings with 3 Ks on Tuesday, he allowed only 5 earned runs while striking out 16 over 17.1 innings in the regular season. That’s a 2.60 ERA.
Chances are high that May will be used in an opener fashion with Julio Urias or Tony Gonsolin taking on the bulk role for the game.
For San Diego, they turn to rookie left-hander Adrian Morejón to keep their playoff hopes alive. The 21-year-old has allowed 3 earned runs in 4 innings against the Dodgers in career.
Setting the Stage
A pair of rookies get handed the ball in game 3 with the series coming off a wild game 2 in Arlington. Tempers flared in the 7th inning of last night’s ballgame after shows of passion in key momentum-shifting moments. With their backs against the walls, the Padres mounted a rally in the 9th against struggling closer Kenley Jansen — one that might cost him his job — but fell just short.
First pitch is set for 6:08 PM PT on MLB Network.
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What did Gonsolin ever do to Roberts to not earn a start with his track record? Starting May on one day’s rest seems a more than a little questionable. Save him for game for 4 or 5, if necessary.
May was the right choice all along to pitch in game 3. But why did Roberts use him in relief in game 1, when he could have used Urias or Gonsolin, or just the other guys from the pen who excelled in game 1, and given May the proper rest and preparation for a normal start. I feel a Roberts idea brewing, and it makes me nervous. Maybe he’s going to try a split game between May and Gonsolin. That actually wouldn’t be bad. But if he’s looking at May as a short opener for a full bullpen game, we may be going to the well too often. I hope May takes over and goes 7.
With a 2-0 series lead, why waste May in a short opener role. I assume Gonsolin or Urias will pitch the bulk, then you leave yourself short a starter in case of a sudden death game 5, and wind up using guys like Buehler on abnormal rest cycles, which also throws things off for the next series, should they advance. Hopefully they don’t get to a game 5, but rather they just hand the ball to Gonsolin, I don’t know why he hasn’t earned their trust and respect, he always seems to get the short end of the stick, despite being consistently excellent.
Should start Gonsolin and use May as closer. Oh that’s right we still have Jensen right now he can’t even close the door behind him but Dave still insists on using him