Dodgers Announce World Series Rotation and Game One Lineup News

The Dodgers had their World Series media day on Monday and along with media day came news about the rotation and game one lineup.

The Dodgers have announced their World Series rotation and it will start out with Clayton Kershaw starting game one and Hyun-Jin Ryu starting game two in Boston.  The news is a little surprising since Hyun-Jin Ryu has been much better at home this season posting a stellar 1.15 ERA at Dodger Stadium.

Dave Roberts had said on that Rich Hill would either start game one or four and he stuck true to his word as Rich Hill was announced as the game four starter.  Walker Buehler will start game three at Dodger Stadium which should help calm the rookie’s nerves as he makes the biggest start of his career.

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Clayton Kershaw will get the ball in game one despite closing out the Brewers on Saturday night.  Kershaw skipped his bullpen session that was scheduled for Saturday so he will be pitching on somewhat normal rest.  Kershaw made just fifteen pitches on Saturday night so although a game is different than a bullpen session, he should be pretty fresh both mentally and physically.

Some game one lineup tidbits were also dropped at media day as it was announced that David Freese and Matt Kemp will both start game one against Chris Sale.  Kemp will be the DH in the real role that suits him as he is still a solid bat but a below average fielder.  David Freese will play first base and look to put together some more memorable World Series moments.

David Freese has only faced Chris Sale in five at-bats but has two hits and a walk against Sale.  Everyone knows by now what David Freese is capable of doing in the postseason so against a tough lefty he is a no brainer to start at first base.  Freese also has solid defense at first base so the Dodgers will not lose a ton defensively with Freese at first rather than Cody Bellinger.

Matt Kemp has not faced Chris Sale in his career but the Dodgers are choosing to roll with Kemp in the lineup against a tough lefty rather than Max Muncy.  Kemp is still a plus fastball hitter so he will look to jump on one of Chris Sale’s fastballs which has been slower than normal in the last few weeks.

The lone remaining question for the game one lineup will be who starts at second base?  The Dodgers will have to choose between Brian Dozier and Kiké Hernandez.  Dozier has a .255 average in 47 at-bats against Chris Sale to go with three home runs so the Dodgers should go with Dozier at second base in game one.