Nine Dodgers players become free agents, including Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner.

Justin Turner Dodgers

Justin Turner and Chase Utley became free agents on Thursday. (Keith Birmingham/Staff photographer)

Kenley Jansen and Justin Turner are free agents as of today, along with seven other Dodgers whose contracts expired the day after the World Series: Rich Hill, Joe Blanton, Chase Utley, Josh Reddick, J.P. Howell, Brett Anderson and Jesse Chavez.

A total of 139 players became free agents around MLB. That does not include Dodgers catcher Carlos Ruiz; the club has until Monday to exercise his 2017 contract option.

Colleague Bill Plunkett has the details.

NLCS Game 2: Clayton Kershaw starts, Kenley Jansen saves, Dodgers win.

Adrian Gonzalez Trump

Adrian Gonzalez hits a home run during the second inning of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, the only run in the Dodgers’ 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs. (Associated Press photo)

CHICAGO — Clayton Kershaw kept a remarkable streak alive in the Dodgers’ 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday: The Dodgers haven’t lost a postseason game in which he pitches, and they haven’t won a game in which he doesn’t pitch.

The box score is here.

The photo gallery is here.

Kenley Jansen answered questions about his stamina by recording a six-out save.

In today’s notebook: Andre Ethier might step in against (more) left-handed pitchers in the series, and Adrian Gonzalez didn’t lament the Dodgers not staying at Donald Trump’s hotel in Chicago.

NLCS Preview: Kenta Maeda gets the ball for underdog Dodgers in Game 1.

Kenta Maeda interpreter

On Thursday, Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda doused his intepreter, Will Ireton, with beer. On Friday Ireton interpreted Maeda’s thoughts about starting Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. (Getty Images)

CHICAGO — A fairly routine off-day practice at Wrigley Field injected a dash of news on the eve of the National League Championship Series.

Kenta Maeda will start Game 1 for the Dodgers, who will reset their 25-man roster but haven’t said who’s in and who’s out.

Position for position, the Cubs have the advantage on paper. A balanced attack allowed Chicago to win 103 games.

Kenley Jansen‘s Mariano Rivera impersonation might need to continue into the NLCS, writes Mark Whicker.

Here’s more from Maeda prior to the Dodgers’ Friday afternoon workout:

Continue reading “NLCS Preview: Kenta Maeda gets the ball for underdog Dodgers in Game 1.” »

NLDS Game 5: Dodgers pull out all the stops, advance to NLCS with 4-3 win.

Joc Pederson

Joc Pederson jumps into the dugout after hitting a home run in the seventh inning to tie Game 5 of the National League Division Series 1-1. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — What a rush.

Clayton Kershaw‘s adrenaline got him through the final two outs, after Kenley Jansen recorded the seven before that, after Julio Urias became the youngest pitcher ever to win a postseason game, after the Dodgers overcame Max Scherzer at his peak. Four hours and 32 minutes after it all began, the Dodgers were in the National League Championship Series with a 4-3 win. Read the full game story here. The box score is here. The photo gallery is here.

Kershaw had no idea the final inning would unfold the way it did. His teammates appreciated his heroics, writes columnist Mark Whicker. Now, Kenta Maeda is in position to start Game 1 of the NLCS.