Dodgers, Nationals expected to play Game 2 of NLDS today, but when?

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the light rain over Nationals Park is expected to break between 5 and 8 p.m. local time. The game is scheduled to begin at 4.

That means a delay at the outset isn’t out of the question. As of right now, the hourly forecast on Weather.com calls for an 85 percent chance of rain at 4 p.m., dropping to 5 percent by 8 p.m.

Roberts believes that shouldn’t be a problem for Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill, who’s been bothered by a blister on his left index finger in recent months. When an August game in Colorado was postponed due to rain, Hill was scratched from his start after warming up in anticipation of a game that never began.

Could the weather present an issue again today? Roberts doesn’t think so.

Major League Baseball is monitoring the weather too, Roberts explained, and the league’s on-site officials typically do a good job communicating the anticipated start time.

“At that point in time we’ll know, and Rich will know, when to start getting hot,” Roberts said.

That means Hill shouldn’t have to warm up before he has to — without interruption by rain.

Dodgers-Nationals NLDS Game 2 postponed due to rain.

Current status:

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Game 2 between the Dodgers and Washington Nationals has been postponed until 10 a.m. Pacific Time Sunday. The rest of the series schedule remains intact.

But because Rich Hill cannot come back to pitch a potential winner-take-all Game 5 on regular rest Thursday, the Dodgers would prefer to save Clayton Kershaw for that spot. That means Kershaw won’t pitch Tuesday’s Game 4, and the start will go to rookie Julio Urias instead.

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NLDS Game 1: Bullpen picks up Clayton Kershaw in a narrow Dodgers victory.

Justin Turner, Corey Seager

Justin Turner, right, and Corey Seager, left, hit home runs in the Dodgers’ 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals in Game 1 of their National League Division Series. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Clayton Kershaw was not perfect, but he didn’t have to be in the Dodgers’ 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday. The box score is here.

Kershaw won, and that was enough, writes columnist Mark Whicker.

Kenley Jansen‘s five-out save meant he got to bat with the bases loaded in the ninth inning; other than it was business as usual for the Dodgers’ bullpen.

Game 2 starter Rich Hill has no hard feelings toward the Washington Nationals, who released him last year.

Here’s what they were saying after the game:

Continue reading “NLDS Game 1: Bullpen picks up Clayton Kershaw in a narrow Dodgers victory.” »

MLB announces start times for Games 3, 4 and 5 of Dodgers-Nationals series.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Major League Baseball announced the start times for the remainder of the American and National League Division Series. The Dodgers and Nationals will play a bunch of day games, but hang on because it’s about tricky.

Continue reading “MLB announces start times for Games 3, 4 and 5 of Dodgers-Nationals series.” »