Clayton Kershaw is tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday on regular rest in the Dodgers’ regular-season finale against the Giants, but nobody truly knows when he’ll pitch next.
Will it be this season? Next season? In the regular season? In the playoffs?
Truth is, nobody knows, and Dodgers manager Don Mattingly wasn’t even in the mood for giving hints Saturday afternoon.
“We haven’t really crossed that bridge yet,” Mattingly said. “I hope it’s not a decision at all. I hope he’s needed to pitch.”
There’s only three scenarios under which it’s not a decision:
1. The Dodgers win their next four games, the Cardinals lose their next four, and the Dodgers are a game ahead of St. Louis in the National League wild card standings.
2. The two teams have identical records on the last day of the season. To achieve that, the Dodgers would have to go 3-1 and St. Louis 0-4, or the Dodgers would have to go 4-0 and St. Louis 1-3.
3. The Dodgers are one game behind St. Louis on the final day of the regular season. (There are a few ways that could happen — the Dodgers just have to play two games better than the Cardinals).
Otherwise, the Dodgers are out of contention and the ball probably goes to Stephen Fife or John Ely.