Manager Don Mattingly said he has an idea of who will start during the Dodgers’ three-game series after the All-Star break in Washington, D.C. He wouldn’t share that idea with the media — Mattingly said he still had to inform the pitchers themselves — so the important takeaway here is that it doesn’t depend on what happens in the All-Star Game.
Zack Greinke is on the National League roster and might start the game, particularly after Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer withdrew his name from consideration Saturday.
Clayton Kershaw is not on the National League roster. After he lost the “Final Vote” on Friday, the only way Kershaw makes it to Cincinnati is as a replacement.
If Kershaw replaces Scherzer, who was voted in by the players, it can only happen if Kershaw garnered the most votes among players of any NL pitcher not currently on the All-Star roster. (If Scherzer had been added to the roster by NL manager Bruce Bochy, Bochy would have the choice of who replaces Scherzer).
Anyway, Kershaw could play or miss the game entirely, and Greinke could start or relieve, and the Dodgers’ post-All-Star break rotation is still set in Mattingly’s mind.
The manager has already said he wanted to split Kershaw and Greinke’s turns in the rotation so they don’t pitch back-to-back as they have throughout the first half.
