It’s Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) against Joe Ross (Nationals) in Game 4.

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw allowed three runs in five innings in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. (Associated Press photo)

Clayton Kershaw will start a do-or-die Game 4 of the National League Division Series today against the Washington Nationals. Right-hander Joe Ross starts for Washington. The game begins at 2 p.m. Pacific Time by virtue of the Chicago Cubs’ loss to the San Francisco Giants last night.

The full story is here.

Kershaw last pitched four days ago, allowing three runs in five innings in the Dodgers’ 4-3 win in Game 1. He is no stranger to pitching on short rest in October. In fact, it’s when he’s done some of his best work:

If the Dodgers win today, they’ll play a winner-take-all Game 5 on Thursday in Washington, D.C. Rookie left-hander Julio Urias, who hasn’t pitched in the series, and veteran left-hander Rich Hill, who started Game 2 on Sunday, are the candidates to start that game. Hill would be pitching on three days’ rest, something he’s done only once in his career. That was in July 2009, when Hill allowed five runs in three innings in the Baltimore Orioles’ loss to the New York Yankees.

Dave Roberts spoke about the decision to start Kershaw today and his options for Game 5:

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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.