Getting into the baseball season as the Dodgers make their World Series run? Need a quick primer? We've got you covered.
What is a bullpen?
In baseball, the bullpen (aka "pen") is made up of relief pitchers. To further clarify, a "reliever" is a pitcher who specializes in coming into games already in progress. Relievers can be brought in at any point after the game has started. For example, if a starter gives up too many early runs, a reliever can be used in the first couple innings. Typically, it is expected for a starter to go deep into a game. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has limited his starters to 5 or 6 innings in order to not overwork them and confirming the confidence he has in his bullpen, considered the best this postseason.
Even within the pen, there are different roles, therefore the terms long relief (when starters are pulled early), middle relief (used a bit later in a game), setup men (brought into a game in the 7th/8th inning) and closers (who close out games that their teams are winning). Kenley Jansen has become the most effective closer this postseason while the biggest bullpen surprise has been Kenta Maeda, who had been a starter throughout his career.
Here are the Dodgers relievers included in the NLCS 25-man roster: Toni Cingrani, Josh Fields, Maeda, Brandon Morrow, Ross Stripling, Tony Watson and Jansen.
What is a starting rotation?
A starting rotation is made up of pitchers designated to begin games on the mound. During the regular season, there are typically five men in a rotation and are given several days off after each appearance; while relievers (called on once games are in progress) are expected to pitch in consecutive games.
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Because the importance of pitching increases during the playoffs, rotations are reduced to four men. Ideally, the "ace," or best pitcher on the staff, is ready to open a post-season series. Such has been the case for Clayton Kershaw, who was rested and ready to start the series against Arizona and Chicago. The Cubs, who had to play a full five-game series against the Nationals, were unable to start the NLCS with their top guy, giving the Dodgers an advantage.
The Dodgers post-season rotation is made up of Kershaw, Rich Hill, Yu Darvis, and Alex Wood.
Where and when will the 2017 World Series begin?
If the Dodgers beat Chicago in the NLCS, the 2017 Fall Classic will start in Los Angeles under a 2-3-2, best-of-seven format. The first two games will be played at Chavez Ravine thanks to the Dodgers having the best regular season record with a total of 104 wins. The middle three games will be hosted by the American League champ, with the end of the series shifting back to LA. The first team to win four games will become the 2017 World Series champions, so games 5 through 7 will be played only if necessary.
Here's the schedule:
Game 1, Dodger Stadium, Tue. Oct 24, Time TBD, FOX
Game 2, Dodger Stadium, Wed. Oct 25, Time TBD, FOX
Game 3, @ALCS Winner, Fri. Oct 27, Time TBD, FOX
Game 4, @ALCS Winner, Sat. Oct 28, Time TBD, FOX
Game 5*, @ALCS Winner, Sun. Oct 29, Time TBD, FOX
Game 6*, Dodger Stadium, Tue. Oct 31, Time TBD, FOX
Game 7*, Dodger Stadium, Wed. Nov 1, Time TBD, FOX
*if necessary
