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Ricky Nolasco won’t fret if Dodgers let Clayton Kershaw start Game 4

Veteran Ricky Nolasco is penciled in as the Game 4 starter for the Dodgers in the playoff series against the Atlanta Braves, but he wouldn't protest if ace Clayton Kershaw replaces him.

Veteran Ricky Nolasco is penciled in as the Game 4 starter for the Dodgers in the playoff series against the Atlanta Braves, but he wouldn’t protest if ace Clayton Kershaw replaces him.

(Norm Hall / Getty Images)
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Ricky Nolasco said he would not object if the Dodgers take the ball out of his hands and give it to Clayton Kershaw for Game 4 of the National League Division Series.

“This isn’t about me,” Nolasco said. “This is about the team.”

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly said Sunday that Nolasco is the Game 4 starter “right now.” If the Dodgers lose Game 3 on Sunday night, they would face elimination in Game 4. The Dodgers could be reluctant to risk elimination without using Kershaw, the probable National League Cy Young winner.

Nolasco said team officials have told him nothing other than to be ready to start Game 4.

“They are the ones who get paid to make those decisions,” Nolasco said. “I’ll be here ready to take the ball whenever they ask me to pitch.”

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In his three most recent starts — the last on Sept. 25 — Nolasco has given up 19 runs in 12 innings.

Kershaw has never started on short rest but would be doing so if asked to pitch Game 4. That would set up Zack Greinke to start a Game 5 on regular rest.

In Game 1, Kershaw held the Braves to one run and three hits over seven innings while striking out 12.

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