Ryan Brasier will start Game 2 of the National League Championship Series for the Dodgers, but rookie Landon Knack is expected to get the majority of outs in Monday’s matchup with the Mets.
Knack last pitched in Game 4 of the NLDS when the Dodgers routed the Padres in an 8-0 triumph. The rookie right-hander pitched a scoreless ninth inning to close out the game.
Ahead of the NLCS, manager Dave Roberts noted that the Dodgers couldn’t utilize the bullpen the same way in a best-of-seven series.
“There’s certainly a possibility of a bullpen game or two,” Roberts said. “But with that we’re going to have to ask innings from other guys. That’s just the reality.”
I don’t think that in a seven-game series we have the luxury to max out guys like we did from the pen in a five-game series.”
Jack Flaherty certainly did his part by pitching seven scoreless innings Sunday night in his Game 1 start. The Dodgers will look to Knack to pitch the bulk of the game on Monday.
There was speculation that the rookie would get the start in Game 4 of the NLDS, but the Dodgers chose to have a bullpen game. Several baseball analysts believed the Dodgers were making a mistake going with the bullpen, but relievers kept the Padres scoreless through nine innings.