World Series: The Dodgers armed with Flaherty, Freeman and Lux for Game 1

by Megan Garcia

Friday will be the start of another chapter in a storied World Series rivalry between two historic teams. And the Dodgers are optimistic that they’ll go into it healthier than they came out of the National League Championship Series.

Jack Flaherty will start Game 1 for the Dodgers, while Gerrit Cole will start for the Yankees. The Dodger lineup that day will also include two players who missed time during the NLCS.

Freddie Freeman and Gavin Lux are are expected to be in the Dodgers’ Game 1 lineup against the Yankees. Freeman (ankle) didn’t play in NLCS Game 6. Lux (hip) didn’t start the final three games of the series.

Between NLCS Game 5 and World Series, Freeman will have had six days between playing in games.

“Every day is going to be better,” Freeman said. “With all injuries, treatment and rest and time away from the initial injury is only to be better. We’re just trying to do the best we to get into to a spot that’ll be ready to go on Friday.”

The days off are also pivotal for Lux, who sustained a right hip flexor flare up during Game 1 of the NLCS. He managed to start in Game 3 against the Mets and was a pinch-hitter on Sunday.

“I think we did a good job of trying to pick our spots to get him in there, but not to regress with the hip flexor,” Roberts said. “I do think that with these days off, come Friday, he’ll be a full go.”

The pitching has also been planned for the first two games of the series at Dodger Stadium. After Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 2. Walker Buehler and a bullpen game will be sorted out for the following two games in New York.

Flaherty was the only starting pitcher to start twice in the National League Championship Series for the Dodgers. Flaherty tossed seven scoreless frames in Game 1 against the Mets. He allowed eight earned runs in three innings while throwing 75 pitches in Game 5.

Friday will mark Flaherty’s first career appearance in the World Series.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Flaherty said. “There’s no bigger stage than this. It’s what we all wanted as kids and be in the position we wanted to be in. I don’t really have any words for it. I’m just looking forward to Friday.”

The bullpen may be receiving some reinforcements for the World Series. The Dodger bullpen tossed a combined 32 2/3 innings in the NLCS with two bullpen games as part of the mix.

Alex Vesia was left off the NLCS roster due to an intercostal injury that he sustained during the National League Division Series. He pitched three scoreless innings in three appearances with four strikeouts in the NLDS against the Padres. Vesia was slated to throw to hitters during the Dodgers’ live batting practice on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Although Brusdar Graterol hasn’t made a postseason roster for the Dodgers in their current run, he’s in the mix for the World Series. Graterol was placed on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Sept. 26. He will throw a bullpen this week.

“Vesia is more likely (to make the World Series roster), but we’re going to push him as far as we can. It’ll be a Friday morning situation where we have to make a decision on those guys,” Roberts said.

Miguel Rojas is also another potential World Series roster addition. The infielder has made strides in his rehabilitation since he forced to miss the NLCS due to a torn adductor.

“I don’t really know a percentage, but I really feel that it was the right decision not having him on the CS (roster) given his health,” Roberts said. “He’s made some strides. I know he’s going to do everything he can to be on the World Series roster, but still got to be certain that he can run, he can defend the way he can defend. So, I’m hopeful but not certain right now.”