The Los Angeles Dodgers are making a change in their plans for the NLDS.
The team announced that Jack Flaherty, whom they acquired at the trade deadline, would start Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was slated to pitch Game 2 on Sunday.
However, Dodgers president Andrew Friedman announced a change in plans. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will now start Game 1, while Jack Flaherty will take the mound for Game 2.
Friedman explained the decision was made to ensure Yamamoto would be available for a potential Game 5 with an extra day of rest, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
Game 5, if necessary, is scheduled for October 11, giving Yamamoto his usual five full days of rest between starts. The pressure will be on him to deliver a strong performance in Game 1, especially since a fast start is crucial in a best-of-five series, where the Dodgers have home-field advantage.
After missing about two months with a rotator cuff injury, Yamamoto finished the season strong, posting a 3-1 record with a 3.38 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 16 innings in his last few starts. The Dodgers will rely on him to be in top form against the Padres, especially with their ace unavailable due to injury.
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