The Los Angeles Dodgers made sure they weren't going to have to fight back from an 0-3 hole, similar to how they had to in the National League Championship Series, in the World Series with an 8-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 on Tuesday.
Clayton Kershaw was dominant in Game 1, tossing six innings and allowing just one run on two hits and striking out eight. The Dodgers now are hoping they can get a similar performance out of rookie Tony Gonsolin, who will start on the mound in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Gonsolin faced 11 batters in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves, throwing 41 pitches. The right-hander likely won't last very long, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed he has a plan if that ends up being the case. Both Julio Urias and Dustin May will be available out of the bullpen in Game 2 and will be able to eat some innings if needed.
Walker Buehler is set to get the start in Game 3 on Friday, and whoever is the freshest among Gonsolin, Urias and May will get the start in Game 4. Kershaw could next pitch Game 5 on Saturday.
The Rays plan to counter Gonsolin with Blake Snell, who has been solid through the postseason thus far. In four starts, Snell has posted a 3.20 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 19 strikeouts in 19.2 innings pitched.
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