The Dodgers turn to Brasier to start NLDS Game 4 against the Padres as they try to stave off elimination

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers will face the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night with reliever Ryan Brasier as the starter for Game 4 as they look to avoid elimination in their NL Division Series.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that the Dodgers would play a bullpen game. Brasier was announced as the starter Wednesday about four hours before first pitch at Petco Park. The right-hander appeared in relief in Games 1 and 2 at Dodger Stadium and secured a 7-5 win in the series opener.

He was 1-0 with a 3.54 ERA in 29 regular-season games, including four starts.

The Padres took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series with a 6-5 victory Tuesday night highlighted by Fernando Tatis Jr.'s towering two-run home run, his fourth of the postseason .

The Padres turn to right-hander Dylan Cease for a short break. Cease started Game 1 on Saturday night and lasted just 3 1/3 innings while allowing five runs and not factoring in the decision.

In the slugger's highly anticipated playoff debut for the Dodgers, Cease got Shohei Ohtani to hit the game-winning three-run home run in the second inning. Ohtani is 2-for-11 with six strikeouts since that home run.

Cease had a 14-11 regular season record with a 3.74 ERA. He threw his first career no-hitter on July 25 in a 3-0 win at Washington. He was acquired in a multiplayer trade with the Chicago White Sox during spring training.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Yu Darvish would start Game 5 if the Dodgers could extend the series. If the Padres win on Wednesday night, Darvish would start Game 1 of the NL Championship Series on Sunday.

“We would like to name Yu the Game 1 starter,” Shildt said.

The Dodgers defeated the Padres in the NLDS in the Texas playoff bubble in 2020. The Padres defeated the Dodgers 3-1 in the 2022 NLDS.

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