ARLINGTON, Texas — Already in a 1-0 hole after dropping Game 1 of the National League Championship Series to the Atlanta Braves on Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered another blow on Tuesday.
The Dodgers announced via Twitter on Tuesday that ace Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his Game 2 start due to back spasms. Rookie Tony Gonsolin, who has not pitched since Oct. 25, will get the start in his postseason debut.
After missing his opening start of the regular season with back tightness, Kershaw had a resurgent year while the Dodgers finished with the majors' best record, going 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 10 starts. He had 62 strikeouts in 58 1/3 innings.
Kershaw has kept it up in the postseason with victories in two strong starts. He threw eight scoreless innings of three-hit, 13-strikeout ball to beat Milwaukee in the wild card round, and he picked up another win in the Division Series while allowing three runs over six innings against San Diego.
Kershaw has dominated the Braves throughout his career, going 7-0 with a 1.49 ERA in 14 starts. He is 2-0 in three postseason starts against Atlanta, allowing just one earned run in 21 innings.
Gonsolin was one of the Dodgers' best starters in 2020, posting a 2.31 ERA in nine games. He has faced the Braves once in his career, in 2019, giving up one run in four innings of work in a 5-3 loss to the Braves.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
RHP Tony Gonsolin will start Game 2 of the NLCS. LHP Clayton Kershaw has been scratched with back spasms.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 13, 2020
NEED TO KNOW
Atlanta Braves (35-25, first in the NL East) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (43-17, first in the NL West)
Arlington, Texas; Tuesday, 6:05 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Atlanta: Ian Anderson (3-2, 1.95 ERA in regular season) Los Angeles: Tony Gonsolin (2-2, 2.31 ERA in regular season)
LINE: Dodgers favored by 1 1/2 runs; over/under is 7 1/2 runs
NLCS: Atlanta leads the series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Braves will look to increase their lead in the NLCS to two games in Game 2 against the Dodgers Tuesday.
The Dodgers were 21-9 in home games in 2020. Los Angeles has a team slugging percentage of .358 this postseason, Mookie Betts leads them with a mark of .522, including five extra base hits and four RBIs.
The Braves were 16-14 on the road in 2020. Atlanta has a team slugging percentage of .427 this postseason, Travis d’Arnaud leads them with a mark of .739, including four extra base hits and seven RBIs.
REGULAR SEASON TOP PERFORMERS: AJ Pollock leads the Dodgers with 16 home runs and is batting .276.
LAST 10 GAMES: Dodgers: 8-2, .276 batting average, 3.14 ERA, outscored opponents by 34 runs
Braves: 6-4, .264 batting average, 3.46 ERA, outscored opponents by 16 runs
INJURIES: Dodgers: Jimmy Nelson: (back), Caleb Ferguson: (left elbow), Clayton Kershaw (back spasms)
Braves: Jeremy Walker: (shoulder), Mike Soroka: (Achilles), Phil Pfeifer: (elbow).
