This time, they aren’t overthinking. This time, they don’t have a choice.
The Dodgers will start Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the opening game of their National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres on Saturday but not necessarily because they trust him more than Jack Flaherty.
In the regular season, Yamamoto never once pitched a traditional five-day cycle. Flaherty did.
If the Dodgers stuck to their original plan of starting Flaherty in Game 1 and Yamamoto in Game 2, only Flaherty would be available to return for a potential Game 5. By trading their places in their rotation, both would be available, with one starting and the other pitching in relief.
The implication: The Dodgers know their bullpen could be completely spent by then.
October is here, and the Dodgers once again have a starting pitching problem. Not even spending more than $500 million last wintercould spare them their annual tradition …