Dodgers News: Darvish, Kershaw, Wood, Jansen, Other Pitchers Available In World Series Game 7

Yu Darvish will start Wednesday night against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium, but he may not stay in the game long, as the Los Angeles Dodgers will have nearly all of their pitchers available for the winner-take-all Game 7 of the World Series.

"You've got the two best teams in baseball going head to head," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Like we've talked about from the beginning, these two teams mirror one another. And the compete and fight in both teams is the most important thing I see as similarities."

Both managers can choose to use players in different roles considering there won't an important game to be played until spring.

After Darvish's rough Game 3 performance, it wouldn't be surprising if the Dodgers go earlier than usual to star ace Clayton Kershaw or top closer Kenley Jansen. Meanwhile, Alex Wood might play a big role if the game reaches extra innings.

When the Cleveland Indians hosted the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, two starting pitchers came out of the bullpen.

Cubs' starter Kyle Hendricks pitched four and two-third innings, followed by typical starter Jon Lester for three innings. Closer Aroldis Chapman then entered in the eighth inning and was followed by steady middle relievers Carl Edwards and Mike Montgomery. The Indians had Corey Kluber start and pitch four innings, and then followed him up with setup man Andrew Miller for two and one-third innings and then closer Cody Allen for two innings. Middle reliever Bryan Shaw pitched one inning and then typical starter Trevor Bauer finished the game by pitching two-thirds of an inning.

Such pitching changes could take place on Wednesday night.

Here's a look at the Dodgers pitchers and their status ahead of Game 7.

54 Tony Cingrani, RP, Left

Regular Season: 42.2 innings, 4.22 ERA, 52 Ks

Postseason: 5.0 innings, 1.80 ERA, 3 Ks

World Series: 3.0 innings, 3.00 ERA, 2 Ks

Notes: Cingrani has been reliable and has a decent shot of coming into the game for perhaps one batter or as long as two innings. He hasn't pitched since Sunday when he threw 20 pitches.

21 Yu Darvish, SP, Right

Regular Season: 186.2 innings, 3.86 ERA, 209 Ks

Postseason: 13.0 innings, 4.15 ERA, 14 Ks

World Series: 1.2 innings, 21.60 ERA, 0 Ks

Notes: Darvish gets the starting job on four days of rest, but he may get pulled early. In his lone World Series start, Darvish conceded a double to George Springer, a home run to Yuli Gurriel, a double to Josh Reddick, a walk to Evan Gattis, a single to Marwin Gonzalez, a single to Brian McCann and a double to Jose Altuve.

Because Darvish pitches so well against right-handed bats, Roberts may want to keep him on the mound at least four innings. But if Darvish shows any of the same signs of struggle as he did in Game 3, it wouldn't be surprising if Roberts pulls him very early.

46 Josh Fields, RP, Right

Regular Season: 57.0 innings, 2.84 ERA, 60 Ks

Postseason: 1.0 innings, 18.00 ERA, 1 Ks

World Series: 0.0 innings, INF ERA, 0 Ks

Notes: While Fields is a right-hander that put up solid numbers is the regular season, he is a longshot to get to the mound unless the game goes deep into extra innings. His one appearance in the World Series resulted in two home runs, and he didn't record an out.

44 Rich Hill, SP, Left

Regular Season: 135.2 innings, 3.32 ERA, 166 Ks

Postseason: 17.2 innings, 2.55 ERA, 24 Ks

World Series: 8.2 innings, 2.08 ERA, 12 Ks

Notes: Hill pitched in Game 6, so he is basically guaranteed to sit out Game 7.

74 Kenley Jansen, RP, Right

Regular Season: 68.1 innings, 1.32 ERA, 109 Ks

Postseason: 15.2 innings, 1.72 ERA, 19 Ks

World Series: 7.2 innings, 3.52 ERA, 7 Ks

Notes: Jansen is among the most intriguing pitchers in the bullpen. The star closer has pitched in three of the last four days, throwing 14 pitches on Saturday, 33 pitches on Sunday and 19 pitches on Tuesday. It might be a stretch to believe Jansen will be effective beyond 20 pitches on Wednesday.

22 Clayton Kershaw, SP, Left

Regular Season: 175 innings, 3.86 ERA, 209 Ks

Postseason: 5.0 innings, 1.80 ERA, 3 Ks

World Series: 3.0 innings, 3.00 ERA, 2 Ks

Notes: Looked off of his game on Sunday, allowing six earned runs over four and two-third innings. Kershaw also threw 94 pitches, so it's unclear how many pitches he can throw on two full days of rest. He may not be the best lefty to use in a short situation, but Kershaw is so talented that it would make sense to use him.

Kershaw famously pitched against the Washington Nationals in the National League Divisional Series in 2016

18 Kenta Maeda, SP, Right

Regular Season: 186.2 innings, 3.86 ERA, 209 Ks

Postseason: 10.2 innings, 0.84 ERA, 10 Ks

World Series: 5.2 innings, 1.59 ERA, 3 Ks

Notes: The starter-turned-reliever has been a workhorse in the postseason. He threw just 14 pitches in Game 6, so he should be available. The Dodgers will likely turn to Maeda at some point, unless Roberts feels more comfortable with Brandon Morrow or Jansen.

38 Brandon McCarthy, SP, Right

Regular Season: 92.2 innings, 3.98 ERA, 72 Ks

Postseason: 1.0 inning, 18.00 ERA, 0 Ks

World Series: 1.0 inning, 18.00 ERA, 0 Ks

Notes: It's desperation time if McCarthy comes on in relief. The veteran proved to be a decent starter in the regular season, but Roberts will only turn to him as a last resort.

17 Brandon Morrow, RP, Right

Regular Season: 43.2 innings, 2.06 ERA, 50 Ks

Postseason: 13.1 innings, 4.05 ERA, 11 Ks

World Series: 5.0 innings, 9.00 ERA, 3 Ks

Notes: When Morrow pitched in Game 5, he appeared exhausted in allowing four earned runs without recording an out. But the 33-year-old as otherwise been exceptional. The extra day of rest seemed to help in Game 6, with his velocity back. He can probably pitch an effective inning in Game 7.

68 Ross Stripling, RP, Right

Regular Season: 74.1 innings, 3.75 ERA, 74 Ks

Postseason: 3.0 innings, 0.00 ERA, 2 Ks

World Series: 2.0 innings, 0.00 ERA, 1 K

Notes: Stripling is another right-handed option for Roberts if he feels less confident in Maeda or Morrow. He is a converted reliever, but has performed done well in the limited appearances.

33 Tony Watson, RP, Left

Regular Season: 66.2 innings, 3.36 ERA, 53 Ks

Postseason: 7.0 innings, 2.57 ERA, 3 Ks

World Series: 3.2 innings, 0.00 ERA, 1 K

Notes: He's pitched well against the Astros, allowing just two hits. But Watson might be the third choice among left-handers to come out of the pen in Game 7.

57 Alex Wood, SP, Left

Regular Season: 152.1 innings, 2.72 ERA, 151 Ks

Postseason: 10.1 innings, 3.48 ERA, 10 Ks

World Series: 5.2 innings, 1.59 ERA, 3 Ks

Notes: Roberts may want to save Wood for when the game goes to extra innings. He looked great in Game 4, throwing a no-hitter before allowing a home run to Springer. The 27-year-old is a great safety net in case the Dodgers find themselves entering the 10th inning after using five or more pitchers.