Kershaw, Greinke Named Starters For NLDS Games 4 And 5
However, it all came crashing down on Kershaw in the seventh, when he gave up five runs to the Cardinals, who punctuated their scoring spree on a Matt Carpenter double with the bases loaded that scored all three runs. After the loss, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner expressed self doubt as to whether or not the Dodgers would want him to pitch again in the series.
With the series tied heading into Game 3 Monday night, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly announced Kershaw would indeed start Game 4 on short rest, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Kershaw starts Game 4.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 6, 2014
Along with revealing his Game 4 starter, Mattingly also named Zack Greinke the starter for a potential Game 5, which would be played at Dodger Stadium on Thursday:
Hreinke starts Game 5.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 6, 2014
Kershaw started Game 4 of the NLDS last season on three days’ rest and allowed two runs in six innings. He earned a no-decision, but the Dodgers closed the series out behind a Juan Uribe home run.
Greinke fared better in his postseason start than Kershaw did as he allowed just two hits in seven innings. J.P. Howell gave up the game-tying home run to Carpenter in the eighth and Greinke didn’t earn a decision in the Dodgers’ win.
Depending on Monday’s outcome, Kershaw could again find himself on the mound at Busch Stadium in a potential elimination game for the Dodgers. He started Game 6 of the 2013 NLCS, but allowed seven runs in just four innings. Carpenter’s now infamous at-bat in the third led to a four-run inning for the Cardinals, who never looked back.
