Dodgers to start Hyun-Jin Ryu over Kershaw in Game 1

The Los Angeles Dodgers will open the postseason with a surprising starter in Game 1 of the NLDS.

The Dodgers announced on Tuesday that lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu will start Game 1 against the Atlanta Braves. Clayton Kershaw will start Game 2.

The move is a surprising one considering that Kershaw is supposed to be the team’s ace and money pitcher. Teams typically prefer to have their top pitcher begin a series and set the tone. But with Game 5 scheduled for next Wednesday, either Ryu or Kershaw could start the game on full rest if necessary.

The move makes sense for a few reasons.

The decision keeps the Dodgers on the same rotation that they’ve been. Ryu last started on Friday, Sept. 28 and will have five days to rest before starting on Thursday. Kershaw started on Saturday, Sept. 29 and will also have five days off before his start against Atlanta on Friday.

Beyond keeping with the rotation, Ryu has simply been hotter than Kershaw lately. Ryu has allowed just one run over his last three starts, winning all three. He went 3-2 with a 1.50 ERA in 30 innings in September. He has a 1.97 ERA on the season.

Kershaw has been close to his typical dominating form, going 9-5 with a 2.73 ERA this season. He had a 3.89 ERA in September, though the Dodgers won all six of his starts and have won the last eight games in which he’s pitched.

The Dodgers have ridden Kershaw hard in recent postseasons. Maybe starting Ryu will take the pressure off him as their workhorse. They also have Walker Buehler and Rich Hill to help ease the load.