Arizona Diamondbacks: Much anticipated NLDS against Dodgers begins

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 04: Robbie Ray #38 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches agaist the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 4, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Robbie Ray on short rest

Even after going 2.1 innings in Wednesday’s wild card game, Ray treated the game as a bullpen session and told reporters he felt good.

Lovullo has not committed, but Ray is expected to start game two at Dodger Stadium on short rest. Not only has Ray never made a start in the postseason, but he has never pitched on short rest.

To clarify, “short rest” after coming out of the pen in your previous appearance is different then starting on short rest after starting in your previous appearance. That is probably why Ray feels fine.

The D-backs really could use Ray in game two. The D-backs could win game one, but facing Kershaw is never easy. If Arizona does drop the opener, Ray is as safe of a bet as there is against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Ray was 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA in five starts against the Dodgers this season. In his last two starts against LA, he allowed only one run in 14.1 innings with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 24 to 2.