St. Louis Cardinals set rotation for Games 1-4 of NLDS; Michael Wacha out.

Michael Wacha

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha, the MVP of the 2013 National League Championship Series against the Dodgers, will be in the bullpen for the NLDS. (Getty Images)

Michael Wacha, who beat the Dodgers twice last October to win the National League Championship Series’ MVP award, will pitch out of the bullpen in the NL Division Series beginning Friday.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced his rotation for the series Wednesday: Adam Wainwright in Game 1, Lance Lynn in Game 2, John Lackey in Game 3 and Shelby Miller in Game 4.

The Dodgers haven’t formally announced any of their starters for the series, though Clayton Kershaw is listed as the Game 1 starter on their website, and lined up to start the game by throwing a bullpen session Tuesday. Zack Greinke is expected to start Game 2.

Who opposes Lackey in Game 3 is less certain, but Hyun-Jin Ryu took a necessary step toward making that start by throwing a 45-pitch simulated game Wednesday. If he recovers well tomorrow, he is the favorite to get the start.

The question of who starts Game 4 for the Dodgers — if there is a Game 4 — will depend on Ryu’s health, the outcome of the first three games, and maybe whether or not Kershaw feels well enough to start the game on three days’ rest, like did a year ago.

The St. Louis Post-Disptach has more on the Cardinals’ NLDS roster.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.