The Dodgers’ postseason journey kicks off this Saturday, but it certainly won’t feel like fall.
This is especially true if the Chicago Cubs manage to clinch their wild-card series against the San Diego Padres this week.
While the Dodgers are set to compete in their National League Division Series against the winner of the other NL wild-card series featuring the Braves and Phillies, the outcome of the Cubs-Padres duel could significantly influence the timing of the Dodgers’ playoff opener.
If the Cubs progress to the NL’s best-of-five division series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Dodgers would take the field for Game 1 at 6 p.m. local time on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.
However, if the Padres come out on top, the Dodgers’ NLDS opener would shift to 1 p.m. local time that very day.
In usual circumstances, a timing difference like this would be minor.
But, as it happens, a heat wave is expected to hit Los Angeles, which could push the first pitch temperature near 100 degrees if the Dodgers start earlier.
Manager Dave Roberts commented, “It’s going to be a hot weekend. Playing at night would definitely be more beneficial.”
That said, it’s not like Roberts and the Dodgers are explicitly cheering for the Cubs in their wild-card matchup. Just like how they aren’t fixating on whether they’ll face the Braves or Phillies in the NLDS, they aren’t overly concerned about the unknown start time for Saturday.
Nonetheless, this uncertainty has influenced their preparations in at least one crucial way.
Roberts noted that the team is still hesitating to announce its starting rotation for the NLDS, not only because of the unpredictability of their opponent but also due to the uncertainty surrounding game times.
The probable rotation seems to be Yoshinobu Yamamoto slated for Game 1, followed by Tarik Skubal in Game 2, Blake Snell in Game 3, and Tyler Glasnow in Game 4.
This lineup would allow Yamamoto to maintain his typical five days of rest between Game 1 and a possible Game 5, give Snell extra time to recover from a recent groin injury, and potentially allow Glasnow to be available out of the bullpen earlier in the series, much like he was utilized last October.
As of now, though, no final decisions have been made.
The Dodgers are still eager to find out who their opponent is and what time their potentially sweltering playoff opener will actually begin.
