Jeurys Famila (Mike Strobe/Getty Images) and Kenley Jansen (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
By Jon Weisman
With Jacob deGrom and Zack Greinke facing off Thursday in the deciding Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the Dodgers and Mets, you don’t expect to need much in the way of relief. But should the need arise, nearly every pitcher on either roster will be ready to go.
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New York Mets
- Noah Syndergaard will be on four days’ rest, and though he is the presumptive NLCS Game 1 starter if the Mets advance, New York would have few qualms about using him as a bridge between deGrom and closer Jeurys Familia. Matt Harvey could then start the NLCS opener.
- Familia has pitched in three of the four NLDS games, but his pitch counts aren’t enough to matter, especially with today’s off day.
- Erstwhile starting pitcher Bartolo Colon has been the Mets’ bullpen workhorse. No doubt he’s available, though Syndergaard could take his role.
- Only Harvey and Steven Matz should be considered unavailable for Game 5. No other Mets pitcher has a workload issue.
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Kenley Jansen gets a day to recover from his 24-pitch save Tuesday. He has thrown 41 pitches total since October 3 and 59 pitches this entire month, so he should be ready to roll Thursday.
- Chris Hatcher is the only Dodger to pitch in three games this series, but his pitch counts are modest.
- No other Dodger reliever has a workload concern.
- Clayton Kershaw for an inning? I’m not gonna answer that …
jpavko
The team ace made an appearance against the Mets in 1988. Why not a repeat of history?
oldbrooklynfan
I know many are foreseeing Kershaw coming into the game (alla Hershiser, Bumgarner), I think Mattingly will stick to the regular bullpen guys, this time for the Dodgers. As for the Mets, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Syndergaard.
Don Bright
Yeah I would think Kershaw only comes in if the game goes extra innings. Not to get to ahead, but you also have to think about pitching him on 3 days rest again in game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday. With Greinke going on Thursday, he won’t be able to go until game 3. Plus Wood is so much better at home, you can schedule his starts for game 2 and 6, both at home against the Cubs.