Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that Clayton Kershaw‘s September starts have been lined up “for a while now.”

In theory, Kershaw would start Sunday in San Francisco, Sept. 19 in Chicago, and Sept. 24 at home against the Giants. That presumes that Kershaw takes every turn in the rotation in order, on schedule.

A few implications:

1. Kershaw is only guaranteed one more home start this season.

2. At 18-3, he has a chance to finish 21-3, which would be the highest single-season winning percentage by a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher.

3. If the Dodgers somehow squander their 3 ½ game lead in the National League West and wind up playing a wild-card game, Kershaw is lined up to start that game on regular rest. That’s almost certainly by design; whether it’s a wild-card game or game one of the National League Division Series, Kershaw is lined up to start.