Dodgers name surprise Game 1 starter for World Series against Yankees

The stage is set. The Los Angeles Dodgers will host the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night at 8:08 p.m. ET. Fans were informed that Gerrit Cole would be starting for the Bombers, but manager Dave Roberts hadn't named a starter for LA for a few days.

On Tuesday, the Dodgers made their call. Jack Flaherty is getting the ball on Friday, which blindsided many who were expecting it to come down to Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Walker Buehler. Those two right-handers have more experience on the big stage than Flaherty.

Also, Flaherty got shelled when the Dodgers were attempting to take the NLCS from the New York Mets in 5. In that Game 5 on the road, Flaherty allowed eight earned runs on eight hits and four walks over just three innings, which raised red flags about his 2023 struggles. He also got knocked around by the San Diego Padres in the NLDS.

But every playoff outing is different, and fans would be irresponsible to overlook the fact that he shut out the Mets in Game 1 with seven scoreless frames. Then again, both Yamamoto and Buehler will be on extra rest, so it remains a bit of a curious decision.

Perhaps Roberts trusts Buehler more on the road than he does Flaherty? Could that be the approach here?

Dodgers name surprise Game 1 starter for World Series against Yankees

Buehler dominated the Mets in New York during a pivotal Game 3 of the NLCS last Wednesday and helped regain momentum for the Dodgers. He'd likely be running into a similar situation in the Bronx when the time comes, and he's probably the best equipped to do so.

Or maybe Roberts is just following the NLCS blueprint that saw the Dodgers handle business rather easily. And in the event this series goes to Game 6 and/or a do-or-die Game 7, he'll have Yamamoto/Buehler available for those contests at Dodger Stadium. This is more of a "the World Series is marathon and not a sprint" type strategy.

Flaherty also boasts Game 1 starter numbers, by the way. Though he regressed a bit after being traded to the Dodgers, he finished 2024 with a 13-7 record, 3.17 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 194 strikeouts in 28 starts (162 innings). He walked just 38 batters. Somehow, he avoided the Yankees after playing the second half of 2023 with the Orioles and the first half of 2024 with the Tigers, but his last outing against New York went quite well when he was a member of the Cardinals. He went six shutout and allowed just four hits and two walks in a win on July 1, 2023.

That won't factor in to Friday's contest, but Flaherty being named the Game 1 starter is an assertion from Roberts that he trusts his players and his blueprint.