MLB Player News

Dodgers starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco was not at his best as he suffered his first postseason loss Tuesday night against the Cardinals in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.

Nolasco, who made his first game appearance since Sept. 29, surrendered a run-scoring double to Matt Carpenter and a two-run home run to Matt Holliday -- all in the third inning -- for his only damage of the night. He allowed three runs on three hits and one walk while striking out four over four innings of a 4-2 defeat.

Dodgers pitcher Ricky Nolasco has officially been named the starter Tuesday against the Cardinals. 

Nolasco was expected to get the nod, but there was some speculation Zack Greinke would have pitched on short rest. Greinke is now in line to start Game 5. Nolasco had a 3.70 ERA in 199 1/3 innings. 

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly proclaimed pitcher Ricky Nolasco the Game 4 starter in the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals Monday night after L.A. moved to 2-1 in the series with a win.

Mattingly almost certainly would have gone with Zack Greinke had the Dodgers lost Monday's game to fall to 3-0 in the series. That said, it appears there is still a chance that Mattingly could change his mind again and go with Greinke on short rest.

Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright took the mound Monday night in Los Angeles looking to give St. Louis a commanding lead in the National League Championship Series.

Instead, Wainwright pitched well but took the loss as Hyun-Jin Ryu was outstanding for the Dodgers, who moved the series to a 2-1 Cardinals advantage.

Wainwright gave up two earned runs -- both in the fourth inning -- on six hits and no walks over seven strong frames. He struck out five and threw 91 pitches in the Game 3 loss.

This has been an excellent series for pitching and Wainwright lost a duel. He's 2-1 on the postseason overall with a 1.57 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. He's struck out 20 over 23 innings. After going 19-9 with a 2.94 ERA on the regular season, Wainwright is hoping he doesn't have to take the mound again.

Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu was sensational as he pitched his team back into the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals from Los Angeles Monday.

Ryu took the mound for Game 3 with his Dodgers down 2-0 in the series. He earned the win as he went seven shutout innings allowing only three hits and one walk. Ryu struck out four batters over 108 pitches in an outstanding performance.

Ryu was not sharp in his first postseason appearance against Atlanta. He went just three innings and gave up four runs on six hits. With a 3.00 ERA on the regular season over 192 innings and a 14-8 record, Ryu proved he was better than that with Monday's start.

USA Today reports that the Dodgers will not use Ricky Nolasco to start Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals if they lose Game 3 on Monday night. Zack Greinke would take the mound for Game 4 on short rest instead.

Similarly, Nolasco had his turn skipped for Game 4 of the National League Division Series, as Dodgers manager Don Mattingly went with team ace Clayton Kershaw on three days rest.

MLB.com reports that Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke threw only 12 pitches in his Sunday bullpen session. Though the Dodgers have named Ricky Nolasco as the starter for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals, Greinke's short bullpen session could make it possible that he would be sufficiently rested to make that start on only three days rest.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said the team had not yet considered moving Greinke into Tuesday's start, but acknowledged the temptation of using his top two starters, Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, on short rest. Mattingly said, "It always makes sense any time you mention those two guys' names. But it's something, as I said, we haven't talked about at this point."

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw tossed another dominant outing but was not backed by any run support as he took the loss in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Cardinals Saturday afternoon.

Kershaw allowed a sacrifice fly to Jon Jay in the fifth inning for his only blemish of the afternoon. He allowed one unearned run on two hits and one walk while striking out five over six innings of a 1-0 defeat. He has allowed only four runs -- one earned -- over 19 postseason innings.

Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha turned in another impressive outing as he came out with his second postseason win in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers Saturday afternoon.

Wacha allowed five hits and one walk while striking out eight over 6 2/3 shutout innings of a 1-0 victory. He has allowed only one run over 14 postseason innings.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny has decided to give the ball to Lance Lynn for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers. The Cardinals have a 1-0 lead in the series heading into Saturday.

Lynn was the seventh pitcher to be used in Friday's Game 1 win over the Dodgers. He earned the win and is 1-1 with five runs allowed over 6 1/3 innings this postseason.