Dodgers Dugout: Breaking down the Dodgers’ 4-3 victory over Washington in Game 1

Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell, reminding you the Dodgers are 10 wins away from the ultimate goal.

Breaking down Game 1

--Looked as if Clayton Kershaw was a little over-excited and was overthrowing a lot. It also looked like his back was bothering him. I have three herniated discs in my back, so I am familiar with that stiff-back stretch he was doing occasionally. I would not be shocked to see him have some sort of back surgery after the season, though I hope I’m wrong.

--You can’t say enough about the Dodgers bullpen. Limiting the Nationals to just one hit in four innings, with Kenley Jansen picking up a five-out save.

--Was I the only one who was extra nervous watching Jansen bat in the top of the ninth? He was swinging so hard I was sure he would hurt himself.

--You can tell a big difference in the way Dave Roberts handles his bullpen today compared to when the season started. He knows exactly what buttons to push and when to do it. Sure, it might not always work, but he puts everyone in position to maximize their effectiveness.

--A couple of notes for TV analyst Harold Reynolds: 1. We get it, you don’t like the Dodgers. 2. Yes, we know how great things were when you played. 3. It’s OK to stop talking occasionally. 4. How did you get a voice that sounds so whiny? You must have gone to the Barney Fife school of elocution.

--Corey Seager is going to be very good for a very long time.

--The one guy who looked nervous was the one you would least expect: Chase Utley. But at least he didn’t break anyone’s leg.

--What were the odds that Yasiel Puig would come to the plate twice and never swing the bat?

--Remember all those smart plays Daniel Murphy made last season when the Mets beat the Dodgers in the NLDS? He made up for it with that ridiculous attempt to steal.

--I still say Jayson Werth looks like former WWE superstar Edge.

--Can Jansen come back and pitch today after pitching 1 2/3 innings in Game 1?

--Justin Turner has played in eight playoff games with the Dodgers. In those games he is hitting .500 (12 for 24) with six doubles, a homer and six RBIs.

--The plate umpire had an expanded strike zone last night, which helped a lot on Jansen’s final pitch to Werth.

--If you are stuck someplace and can’t watch the game, consider following our live coverage of every Dodgers playoff game. You can see them at www.latimes.com/sports.

The rest of the schedule

Game 2: Today, Dodgers (Rich Hill) at Washington (Tanner Roark), 1 p.m. TV: FS1

Game 3: Monday, Washington (Gio Gonzalez) at Dodgers (Kenta Maeda), 1 or 3 p.m. TV: MLBN

Game 4: Tuesday, Washington (TBA) at Dodgers (TBA), 2 p.m. (5 p.m. if only one NLDS game) TV: FS1

Game 5: Thursday, Dodgers (TBA) at Washington (TBA) 2 p.m. (5 p.m. if only one NLDS game). TV: FS1

In case you missed it

What our great crew of Los Angeles Times reporters are saying about the Dodgers:

Dodgers’ 4-3 win over Nationals is a group effort

Dodgers and Nationals pitchers make their postseason debuts as Game 2 starters

Look back on our live inning-by-inning coverage

What others are saying

What the NLDS roster means for the Dodgers

Roberts went for early KO with Jansen

From the Washington Post: The best and worst moments of the Game 1 loss

And finally

Let’s get some good mojo going into the playoffs. Just watch, listen and enjoy.

Have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me and follow me on Twitter: @latimeshouston