LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers lined up their National League Division Series rotation with an eye on giving them options for a potential Game 5. After looking back on their first four games against the Padres, they could alter those early plans.

Having forced a return to Dodger Stadium by splitting two games at Petco Park, Los Angeles initially prioritized having both Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty available for the game that would either end its season or advance the team to the NL Championship Series for the first time since 2021.

As of Thursday, the Dodgers had not announced their pitching plan for Friday’s Game 5.

"I haven't finalized it," manager Dave Roberts said. "Obviously, I'm sure Yoshinobu will be a part of it. How we will deploy the relievers around it, if that's the case, I just don't know."

The Dodgers are considering having Yamamoto -- who has not pitched in relief as a Major Leaguer -- follow an opener on Friday night. Flaherty will also be available, because as Roberts said, "In an elimination game, I think everyone should be a part of the plan."

Both Yamamoto (five runs in three innings in Game 1) and Flaherty (four runs in 5 1/3 innings in Game 2) struggled in their NLDS starts against the Padres. The best start the Dodgers have gotten through the first four games of the NLDS was not from an actual starting pitcher, but rather righty reliever Ryan Brasier -- who retired all four batters he faced to set the tone as the first of eight Los Angeles pitchers to toe the rubber in Wednesday's 8-0 win in Game 4, a planned bullpen game.

L.A. relievers have combined to allow six runs across 20 1/3 innings this postseason, and all of those runs scored in Game 2, a 10-2 loss in which the team was already trailing by the time Roberts turned to the bullpen.

The strong performance from the 'pen, especially in contrast to how the rotation has fared, gives the Dodgers a dilemma: Do they give the Game 5 nod to Yamamoto, whom they signed to a 12-year, $325 million contract before he threw a pitch in the big leagues precisely for moments like these? Or do they play the hot hand and go back to the playbook that has most effectively neutralized the Padres' dynamic lineup by running another bullpen game?

"It's a big part of it," Roberts said of his relievers' success in Game 4. "And also, I feel that we can mix some things around as far as lanes and runs again because of the neutrality and the confidence that our 'pen has. But coming off of what they did last night makes everyone feel pretty confident going into Game 5."

Yamamoto's experience pitching in important games predates his time in the Majors. Last year, in Nippon Professional Baseball's Japan Series, he showed an ability to bounce back when the lights are brightest, firing a 14-strikeout complete game after allowing seven runs in his previous start.

The Dodgers thought Yamamoto might be tipping his pitches after his subpar start in Game 1. In the days since, Roberts said, the 26-year-old right-hander has "cleaned stuff up" and focused on managing some revelatory tendencies.

"How Yoshinobu is a part of it, we're still talking through it," Roberts said. "I think the main variable is seeing our [relievers] go out there today, play catch, see how they feel, which will give us a little bit more information on ultimately who takes the brunt of the game, who starts the game."

Just because one bullpen game stifled the Padres' offense, there is no guarantee that the same strategy will work again. Exposure could be a factor, as San Diego has seen more innings from L.A. relievers than starters this postseason -- and seven of the Dodgers' last 10 games, dating back to the penultimate series of the regular season, have been against their NL West rivals.

The benefit of mixing and matching is Roberts can ensure that his relievers will not see the same parts of the Padres' lineup too often. And if the Dodgers can limit their use of Yamamoto and Flaherty, then both could be available to make two starts apiece if the team moves on to the NLCS.

But Los Angeles can't get ahead of itself just yet. For now, all of the team's energy is focused on extending the season one game at a time.