Ricky Nolasco is up, but Zack Greinke could pitch in Game 4
Zack Greinke could pitch Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on three days’ rest.
Before the game Monday, Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said the results that night could alter the Dodgers’ rotation. After the Dodgers’ 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 3, Mattingly said Ricky Nolasco remained scheduled to pitch Tuesday.
But Mattingly qualified his statement, adding, “For now.”
For what it’s worth, Greinke is scheduled to speak at a Tuesday afternoon news conference in a time slot reserved for the next day’s starting pitcher.
Nolasco’s turn was skipped in the division series, when Clayton Kershaw pitched in his place on three days’ rest.
If Greinke starts Game 4, Kershaw figures to pitch Wednesday in Game 5, also on three days’ rest. Kershaw’s bullpen session Monday was shorter than usual. Greinke threw 104 pitches in Game 1 of the series and Kershaw 72 in Game 2.
If Greinke pitches Tuesday, he could return to pitch Game 7, again on three days’ rest. Kershaw could conceivably pitch in that game as a reliever.
Nolasco said no one has talked to him about the possibility of being skipped again.
“Until somebody tells me otherwise, I’m focused on going out there and pitching tomorrow,” Nolasco said. “Those things are out of my control. I’m only concentrating on the things I can control.”
Nolasco last started a game on Sept. 25.
Next in line?
Dusty Baker, who was fired by the Cincinnati Reds this month, declined to say whether he would be interested in managing the Dodgers.
President Stan Kasten has refused to say whether Mattingly will be retained for next season.
“I have to leave that alone,” Baker said of the Dodgers’ potential managerial vacancy.
However, the 64-year-old Baker made it clear he intends to manage again.
“Why not?” he said. “I have energy. Just because other people didn’t want it anymore that doesn’t mean you’re supposed to quit. If we had a little bit of a different outcome, I’d be a manager now.”
Baker played with the Dodgers from 1976-1983. Before managing the Reds, Baker managed the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs. He reached the World Series with the Giants in 2002 and is a three-time National League manager of the year.
He was at Dodger Stadium on Monday to throw out ceremonial first pitches with former teammates Steve Garvey, Ron Cey and Reggie Smith. In 1977, the four of them became the first quartet from the same team to each hit 30 or more home runs.
The commissioner
Cardinals Game 3 starter Adam Wainwright and Dodgers utility man Skip Schumaker are friends from their days as teammates in St. Louis.
Even as their teams are competing for the right to play in the World Series, they remain in communication.
The reason: Wainwright is the commissioner of a fantasy football league that includes Schumaker.
“I just recently had to make a last-minute adjustment to his roster,” Wainwright said. “We don’t talk about baseball. But fantasy football is pretty important among baseball players.”
Asked to critique Wainwright’s performance as league commissioner, Schumaker replied jokingly, “He’s one of the worst commissioners in the history of fantasy football. He’s always late. Draft time is always an hour later. He’s horrible.”
Schumaker said Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann is also in the league and could confirm Wainwright’s frequent tardiness.
Asked why he doesn’t start a process to impeach Wainwright, Schumaker smiled and said, “We’ve tried. We don’t want to hurt his feelings. It means a lot to him.”
Twitter: @dylanohernandez
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