Why Dodgers chose Tony Gonsolin over Tyler Anderson in NLDS Game 3

With the National League Division Series tied at 1-1 and the next two games set at Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had a crucial pitching decision to make ahead of what will be a pivotal Game 3.

Why did the Dodgers choose to start Tony Gonsolin over Tyler Anderson against the Padres?

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has tabbed right-hander Tony Gonsolin (16-1, 2.14 ERA) as the starter for Friday night’s Game 3 matchup against the Padres, with San Diego countering with southpaw Blake Snell (8-10, 3.38 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 5:37 p.m. Pacific time, and the game will be televised on FS1.

On Thursday, Roberts explained that the decision to go with Gonsolin, who missed all of September with a right forearm strain and made just one October start that lasted just two innings, was partially due to the NLDS schedule. With the Dodgers and Padres having an off day on Thursday, the arms in the Los Angeles bullpen had a chance to recover and open up other options after Gonsolin’s night is done, whenever that might be.

“I think the main thing is looking at it as coming off an off day, Tyler (Anderson) has more length than Tony, so to be able to come off an off day, have your full disposal of pen arms available, I think, just equipped us the best to prevent runs for Game 3,” Roberts explained.

Roberts said that Gonsolin has elevated his pitch count after the injury to “upwards to 75 pitches,” and added that options available to Los Angeles on Friday night could include Dustin May or Andrew Heaney, depending on how many innings Gonsolin is able to provide.

“Certainly there’s going to be some restrictions on Tony. I don’t know what they are right now,” Roberts added.

Anderson is scheduled to start Game 4 for the Dodgers on Saturday night.