Los Angeles Dodgers take gamble with Hyun-Jin Ryu against Atlanta Braves

The Los Angeles Dodgers have turned to an unexpected arm in Game One of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. Will this prove to be the right choice?

The second half of the NLDS is set to kick off in just a few short minutes, as the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Atlanta Braves. It is a series of teams with completely different expectations heading into the season, as the Dodgers were expected to compete for a World Series, while the Braves were seemingly rebuilding.

Instead, the Braves may be the more stable of the two teams as they get set to kick off their series. Mike Foltynewicz, emerged as the ace the Braves were expecting that he would become, posting a solid 13-10 record, along with a stellar 2.82 ERA and a 1.082 WHiP. He struck out 202 batters in 183 innings, while issuing only 68 walks. Foltynewicz made his first All Star Game, and likely will earn a few votes for the Cy Young award.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers will surprisingly turn to Hyun-Jin Ryu for Game One. Based on the numbers, the Korean lefty is a solid choice, posting a 1.97 ERA and a 1.008 WHiP during the season. However, he was plagued by injuries, missing over three months with a strained groin.

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This decision also pushed staff ace Clayton Kershaw back. He would presumably pitch in Game Two, and then be available in a potential Game Five, but it is not often that a team bypasses their top starter in a postseason series. Kershaw has struggled at times in the playoffs, posting a 4.35 ERA in 122 postseason innings.

The Dodgers made another curious move in leaving Ross Stripling off the playoff roster. He was the Dodgers third best starting pitcher, posting a 128 ERA+, and has experience in both the rotation and the bullpen. While he may not have been a part of what could be a three man rotation, Stripling would have been a valuable long man in relief should one of the starters struggle.

How these moves pan out remain to be seen. The aftermath of these decisions will play out over the next few days, with each moment magnified by the glare of the national spotlight. Those decisions as to who takes the ball, and even who is left off the roster, take on greater importance. Make the wrong choices, and there will not be another series to right the ship.

Will the Los Angeles Dodgers of the Atlanta Braves advance beyond the NLDS? The journey begins tonight, so come join us in our live thread during the game!