Dodgers reveal surprising starter for Game 1 of World Series

Oct 11, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) reacts during game one of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Padres 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers are throwing a curveball to start the World Series.

On Tuesday, the Dodgers revealed their starter for Game 1 against the New York Yankees on Friday. They will be giving the ball to righty Jack Flaherty, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

That is a surprising decision for a couple of reasons. For one, Flaherty pitched more recently than both Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, getting the call in last Friday’s Game 5 of the NLCS vs. the New York Mets. For another, Buehler and Yamamoto both looked very good in their most recent starts (in Games 3 and 4 of the NLCS, respectively) while Flaherty was badly knocked around in his (giving up eight earned runs in a mere three innings).

Starting Flaherty in Game 1 of the World Series may be a forward-looking decision because of the packed schedule and the need for Yamamoto to get at least five days of rest in between his starts. But it is still a big risk for the Dodgers with the need to get off to a good start and defend their homefield advantage. If nothing else though, it creates another interesting storyline for Game 1 given the Yankees’ prior history with Flaherty.