Struggling Nolasco won’t object to Kershaw starting Game 4 on short rest

Whether or not the Dodgers are facing elimination in Game 4 of the National League Division Series, manager Don Mattingly certainly didn’t slam the door on the possibility of pitching Game 1 winner Clayton Kershaw on short rest in place of scheduled starter Ricky Nolasco.

“Right now Ricky’s the pitcher in Game 4,” Mattingly said. “That’s what we’ve decided.”

Kershaw has never started on less than four days rest in his five-year career and Nolasco hasn’t been informed of any potential change of the plan for him to start his first ever postseason game on Monday. Given that he won eight of his first nine decisions after being traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers, but has posted a 12.75 earned-run average in his last three starts, Nolasco said he wouldn’t object to a change.

“This isn’t about me. It’s about the team,” Nolsaco said. “Whatever decision they make, it’s going to be the best decision for the team. They’re the ones getting paid to make those decisions. I’ll be here ready to take the ball whenever they ask me to pitch.”