Roberts: Game 2 rainout 'prudent decision'
Dodgers manager 'relieved' Hill can start Sunday; Jansen will benefit after 5-out save
WASHINGTON -- Other than complicating chances of Clayton Kershaw pitching on short rest later in the series, Saturday's rainout of Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Nationals didn't cause any anxiety for the Dodgers, and it might have even relieved some.
"I don't think anything changed for us," said manager Dave Roberts on Saturday. "[Starting pitcher Rich Hill] didn't get hot, he didn't get going. I'm just relieved and resigned to the fact that he can start tomorrow. It's good for us, it's good for those guys, it's good for the fans, so I think that that's the most prudent decision."
• NLDS Gm 2 postponed to Sun., 10 a.m. PT on FS1
With Hurricane Matthew to the south and a cold front in from the west, rain began falling in the area around 10 a.m. ET. Major League Baseball officials called the game around 3:15 p.m. after receiving a report that rain could continue into the night. Game 2 was rescheduled to start on Sunday at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET, and it will be broadcast on FS1.
| Game | Date | Time | Matchup | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | Oct. 7 | LAD 4, WAS 3 |  | |
| Gm 2 | Oct. 9 | 1 p.m. | LAD @ WSH | FS1 |
| Gm 3 | Oct. 10 | 4 or 6 p.m. | WAS @ LAD | MLBN |
| *Gm 4 | Oct. 11 | 5 or 8 p.m. | WAS @ LAD | FS1 |
| *Gm 5 | Oct. 13 | 5 or 8 p.m. | LAD @ WSH | FS1 |
• Dodgers vs. Nationals NLDS coverage
Shop for postseason gear: Dodgers | Nationals "We knew it was going to be delayed at some point," said Hill, who will start on Sunday. "We just didn't know [when]. It went from 6 o'clock to 7 o'clock to 8 o'clock. I guess the weather reports said it was going to rain all night. So I had that in mind coming in. We knew that was a possibility. So we never started [warming up]."
The day off won't hurt closer Kenley Jansen, who converted a five-out save in the Dodgers' 4-3 Game 1 win. But it also means the possibility of three consecutive games Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (if necessary), the latter two in Dodger Stadium. Roberts said he was prepared to use Jansen for four outs on Saturday.
"What I've done with Kenley all year long is have the conversation about how he feels," said Roberts. "With the stress and use, sometimes he feels great when I use him a lot, and sometimes his body just doesn't feel right. He and I are aligned in how we feel.
"Nervous would be 35 [pitches]. Even if he finished at 30, I'd feel good about today. He hasn't gone 35 pitches. He's done 30. The other side is, he's rested. Mentally he wants to do it. I feel comfortable with that. He said he felt great today."
• Shop for Dodgers postseason merchandise
Roberts was ready to play the same lineup in Game 2 as he did in Game 1 against Max Scherzer, and he figures to do it again on Sunday against Tanner Roark.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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