Gonsolin gets start, could go in playoffs

Read into it all you like, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Friday said that Tony Gonsolin will start on Saturday against the Angels and Dustin May will pitch the bulk of the innings on Sunday (but apparently not as the starter).

Roberts already said Julio Urías is in the bullpen. With the current order of Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and Gonsolin, Gonsolin is in line to be the primary Dodgers pitcher if there is a Game 3 on Oct. 2 in the best-of-three National League Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium.

Roberts did say the Game 3 decision will be “opponent driven,” and management has suddenly embraced the concept of using openers to keep opponents honest in setting their batting order, so any combination for Game 3 is on the table. Hard-throwing Brusdar Graterol has opened two of the last three bullpen games.

“You look at Julio and Tony, they are more neutral, as far as their splits, where Dustin is more dominant against right and not as dominant against left,” Roberts said. “The opponent certainly matters, because they’ve all shown they can pitch out of the ’pen. The truth of the matter is you have one spot for three guys that are more than capable in that first round. We’ve got a tough and good decision to make.”

Noteworthy
• Roberts said his confidence in closer Kenley Jansen is higher entering this postseason than a year ago. Jansen entered Friday tied for the National League lead with 11 saves.

“It’s considerably different,” Roberts said. “Look at his 25 appearances. There have been three that haven’t gone well. Outside of that, it’s been pretty dang good. I’m happy to see Kenley healthy and throwing the ball good.”

• Roberts said expecting the Dodgers to carry 12 or 13 pitchers for the first round “is fair,” meaning two or three of the current 15-man staff will be trimmed from the roster. With May and Urías apparently heading for the bullpen, the pitchers who seem in be in the most jeopardy are lefties Alex Wood and Adam Kolarek, whose usage has dropped.

“It is a tough call,” Roberts said of the cuts needed. “You’re talking about preventing runs. But in a short season, you don’t need as much pitching, per se, and we’ve got a lot of great options to get the exact matchups you want.”

• Third baseman Justin Turner on Friday became the only three-time winner of the Roy Campanella Award, which is given to the Dodgers player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher. The award, which was voted upon by Dodgers uniformed personnel, will be presented to Turner on Saturday night by Campanella’s daughter, Joni Campanella Roan, via a video message.