The Los Angeles Dodgers will use right-hander Corey Knebel as an opener, with 20-game winner Julio Urias expected to pitch the bulk of the innings in a winner-take-all Game 5 of the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Yesterday, Gabe Kapler said he wouldn't be surprised with anything the Dodgers throw at them.
Then the Dodgers went ahead and started an opener over a 20-game winner: https://t.co/tallMcoK3i
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) October 14, 2021
Urias, who went 20-3 with a 2.96 ERA this season, will be used out of the bullpen for the first time this season.
The left-hander was used in a similar role in Game 3 of the 2020 NLDS against the San Diego Padres.
Knebel, normally a reliever, made four starts as an opener this season, never going more than two innings.
MLB.com says the Dodgers are making the move because the Dodgers went with a righty-heavy lineup against Urias in Game 2.
Right-hander Logan Webb is slated to start Game 5 for the Giants.
Catch the NLDS finale at 9:07 p.m. ET / 6:07 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and SN Now.
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