Dodgers ‘very confident’ in Lynn for big Game 3 start

LOS ANGELES — As the Dodgers whiffed on some of their other targets, Lance Lynn turned out to be their biggest addition to the starting rotation before the Trade Deadline in August. 

With the Dodgers now staring at a daunting 0-2 series hole in the National League Division Series vs. the D-backs, Los Angeles will hand the ball off to Lynn in Game 3 on Wednesday at Chase Field, with the hopes that the veteran will keep its season alive at least one more night.

”I don’t know what that start’s going to look like, but I feel very confident,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “And that’s why we got him — to come here and pitch big innings for us.”

After hinting Lynn would start Game 3 before Monday’s 4-2 loss in Game 2, Roberts made the decision to start the right-hander official after the contest. Roberts said the club likes the 36-year-old Lynn’s veteran experience in a postseason setting, especially given the stakes.

“When it’s all said and done, when you take the ball you try to go get outs and give your team a chance to win,” Lynn said. “But you know what’s on the line. If you lose, you go home. So we’ve got to come out, play better as a team and try to win a ballgame.”

The Dodgers also considered Ryan Pepiot for the start. Pepiot, who posted a 2.14 ERA in eight appearances (three starts) in his second big league season, would still be part of the equation in Game 3, especially if Lynn struggles early.

“Obviously, first postseason experience, just kind of go out there try to do your thing,” Pepiot said. “Try not to read too much into it being a postseason game, just go out there and do whatever you can to put up zeros and give the team outs.”

Through two games in the NLDS, the Dodgers have gotten just six outs from their starting pitchers. Clayton Kershaw recorded just one out and allowed six runs in Game 1, while Bobby Miller allowed three runs and recorded five outs in the Game 2 loss. 

Lynn was acquired from the White Sox a few days before the Trade Deadline. The right-hander was in the midst of his worst season in the Majors, posting a 6.47 ERA in 21 starts with Chicago. With the Dodgers, he had a 4.36 ERA in 11 starts.

The biggest issue for Lynn has been keeping the ball in the stadium. Lynn allowed 44 homers this season, the most in the Majors by a decent margin. When the Dodgers acquired him, they were banking on him eating up innings, which paid off.

But they also were expecting some of the “bad luck” on homers to come back down to where Lynn has been throughout his career. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, they’ve continued as Lynn gave up 16 homers in his 11 starts.

“I think the thing that we’ve been harping on, as with all our guys, just worry about the hitter that’s in front of you right now,” said Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior. “I think we’re in a position where we just want him to chew up outs until we feel like you’re good. I think he understands that.”

As Prior alluded to, expect a short leash. The Dodgers want to see his velocity tick up a bit and for him not to worry about needing to pitch six or seven innings. It’s possible Lynn goes only one time through the order. It could be an even shorter outing if there’s no swing and miss.

The Dodgers just need Lynn to get through enough of the game so they can deploy Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier, Joe Kelly and Evan Phillips, who were all excellent in Game 2, in relief.

“You’ve got a fresh Lynn. You’ve got a fresh Pepiot,” Roberts said. “And then Michael Grove will have had a couple of days off and the lefties a couple of days off. All those guys will be ready to go an inning if we need it.”