Carlos Frias is making his first major-league for the Dodgers today, opposing Washington Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann (10-5, 2.93 ERA).

In a sense, it’s the antithesis of a low-pressure scenario: The rubber match of a three-game September series against the best team (by record) in the National League.

“You’re not looking at him to be Kershaw and go 8 or 9 (innings),” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “I think that we’re looking for him to give us a quality start, get us through the lineup a couple times hopefully and see where we’re at.”

Frias has allowed nine runs in 14 ⅓ innings this season, all in relief, for a 5.65 ERA. Already in his brief major-league career he’s thrown six pitches (fastball, sinker, cutter, changeup, slider, curveball) and that typically plays better for a starter than a reliever.

Not coincidentally, Tim Federowicz is starting at catcher for the first time since June 12. Federowicz caught Frias so often in Triple-A Albuquerque this season, he joked that he’s practically Frias’ “personal catcher.”

“He’s been going six or seven innings every start,” Federowicz said. “I’ll get him there.”

Just a reminder: The game begins at noon on SportsNet LA and MLB Network (outside the SNLA markets).