Dodgers balance momentum versus rest going into final series of season

The Dodgers scored 44 runs over their last six games, which is two more than opponents scored against Clayton Kershaw this season.

Sustaining that momentum could be critical for the Dodgers as they head into the playoffs, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said.

One obstacle: The Dodgers didn’t play Thursday. “Timing might be ruined,” Gonzalez said.

The next time the Dodgers play a game that counts — Game 1 of the National League division series on Oct. 3 — their NL West championship will already be nine days old.

“We have to continue to play well,” Manager Don Mattingly said.

The Dodgers will open their final series of the regular season Friday, three games against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium.

The games are probably meaningless. The Dodgers have secured home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs, where they are expected to face either the St. Louis Cardinals or the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are also unlikely to overtake the Washington Nationals for the league’s top seed.

Mattingly will let his regulars recover from a physically grueling season, but do so without diminishing the positive force the team has developed in its stretch run.

There are some players Mattingly wants to hold out of the lineup. Among them is shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who has played through shoulder and elbow problems.

“We’re trying to get him over this elbow,” Mattingly said. “Giving him a day or two is not going to hurt him.”

Gonzalez could also be held out to rest his back and knees. With 112 runs batted in, he is likely to finish the season as the NL leader whether not he plays.

The greater concern is with the pitchers.

Roberto Hernandez is scheduled to start Friday in the series opener against the Rockies. Next on the list of probable starters are Dan Haren and Zack Greinke, in that order.

Greinke figures to pitch Game 2 of the division series on Oct. 4.

The Dodgers could scratch him from his final regular-season start to eliminate any chance of injury. But doing so would mean Greinke would start his first playoff game on 10 days of rest. Greinke’s last start was on Tuesday.

The Dodgers face a similar dilemma with Haren, who would be the Dodgers’ Game 3 starter if Hyun-Jin Ryu doesn’t recover from a shoulder injury. If Haren doesn’t pitch Saturday against the Rockies and is asked to step in for Ryu in the NLDS, he would start the playoff game on 13 days of rest.

The likely solution will be to start Greinke and Haren against the Rockies but remove them from the games earlier than usual.

As for Ryu, the Dodgers have to find out if he can pitch.

Ryu threw from a full windup on flat ground Wednesday. He is expected to pitch off a mound Friday.

If Ryu is healthy, he is almost certain to pitch in the playoffs. Mattingly said he isn’t concerned how sharp Ryu will be after a three-week absence, pointing to how little the left-hander has to throw to be able to command his pitches. Ryu is the only pitcher on staff who doesn’t throw between starts.

Mattingly’s greatest challenge could be bullpen management.

Closer Kenley Jansen and setup man J.P. Howell have appeared in a team-high 67 games. Brandon League has pitched in 61 games, Jamey Wright 60 and Brian Wilson 59.

Jansen said he hasn’t talked to coaches about how much he will pitch in the Rockies series, if at all.

While Jansen, Howell, League and Pedro Baez should be locks for the postseason roster, the next three days could be a chance for the team’s other relievers to convince management they deserve to be included.

The most interesting of the candidates on the bubble are left-hander Paco Rodriguez and right-hander Chris Perez, who have returned from the disabled list this month and pitched well.

Twitter: @dylanohernandez