Last-minute pitching switch puts extra pressure on Dodgers for NLDS Game 4

With a 6-5 loss to the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been pushed to the brink of elimination – at the hands of their biggest NL West rivals, no less.

The Dodgers have a chance to right the ship Wednesday in a critical Game 4. Win, and they force a deciding Game 5. Lose, and their World Series aspirations are over. In case that didn't already place enough pressure on the Dodgers, their injury-depleted starting rotation will require Game 4 to be a bullpen game as they turn to their relievers to help keep them afloat in the postseason.

While the Dodgers are undoubtedly at a disadvantage when it comes to starting pitching in this series, they may have gotten a piece of good news Tuesday after Game 3. Padres manager Mike Shildt confirmed (via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune) that right-hander Dylan Cease will get the starting nod against the Dodgers in Game 4.

Last-minute pitching switch puts extra pressure on Dodgers for NLDS Game 4

As recently as a few weeks ago, news of Cease starting could hardly be considered "good" for the Dodgers. Cease was one of the Padres' best starting pitchers during the regular season, and he posted a 3.37 ERA across 10.2 frames against the Dodgers in 2024. He was one of the NL's best arms this season, posting a 3.47 ERA across 33 starts and striking out 224 batters, just one shy of Chris Sale’s NL lead.

Cease struggled against the Dodgers Saturday in Game 1, however, giving up five earned runs on six hits and two walks over just 3 1/3 innings. He threw just 82 pitches before being pulled from the game, which ended up being a Dodgers win.

Cease will also be starting Game 4 on just three days' rest, something he has never done in his six-year MLB career. The Padres find themselves in this situation after right-hander Joe Musgrove went down with a torn UCL in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves, leaving a vacancy for Game 4.

The Padres added southpaw Martín Pérez to their NLDS roster to replace Musgrove, who is set to undergo Tommy John surgery. Pérez could have been an option to start Game 4, and it's still possible we see him pitch in relief of Cease; but with a chance to clinch a spot in the NLCS, the Padres aren't messing around. The Dodgers need to come ready to play and hope that they can get to Cease early like they did in Game 1 if they have any hope of forcing a Game 5.

More Dodgers content from Dodgers Way