Off to an impressive start in his first post-season, rookie Ian Anderson tries to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead in the NL Championship Series.
After making only six regular-season starts, the 22-year-old Anderson has won both his playoff games, permitting just five hits while striking out 17 in 11 2/3 scoreless innings. Right-hander Tony Gonsolin will start in Clayton Kershaw’s place in Game 2 with the Dodgers down 1-0 in the series to the Atlanta Braves. The 26-year-old Gonsolin will be making his major league post-season debut.
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Kershaw was scratched from his start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 due to back spasms.
Both pitchers will be tested at the Texas Rangers’ new ballpark: The Dodgers and Braves ranked 1-2 in the majors in runs (349-348) and homers (118-103) this year.
The Braves won the series opener 5-1 with a four-run ninth that included a tiebreaking homer from Austin Riley and a two-run shot by Ozzie Albies.
Atlanta could be minus outfielder Adam Duvall, who exited Game 1 of the NLCS on Monday night after hurting his left oblique.
"I don’t expect the outcome to be good. He popped it," manager Brian Snitker said.
Cristian Pache, a 21-year-old rookie who had four big league plate appearances this season, took over for Duvall.
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