Tweet
MLB Playoffs 2016: Dodgers' Julio Urias making historical start in NLCS Game 4
LOS ANGELES-- Once the first pitch is pitched during Wednesday's Game 4 of the 2016 NLCS among the Cubs and Dodgers, history will have definitely been actually created. That's because said pitch will certainly have been thrown by Dodgers rookie left-hander Julio Urias.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts formally revealed Monday during the NLCS workout sessions in Dodger Stadium that Urias will get the ball in Game 4, scheduling the table for the historic start.
Why then historical? Because Urias would be 20 years and 68 days old. Which will ensure him-- you ready?-- the youngest player in major-league history in order to carry out a postseason start.
JulioUrias.jpg
Julio Urias has actually already appeared in the playoffs, but his next start will definitely make history.
The current leaderboard:.
1. Bret Saberhagan, 20 years and 175 days, 1984 ALCS Game 2.
2. Bullet Joe Bush, 20 years and 316 days, 1913 World Series Game 3.
3. Fernando Valenzuela, five starts at 20 years and 339-356 days, 1981 NLDS-WS.
8. Jim Palmer, 20 years and 356 days, 1966 World Series Game 2.
Again, at 20 years and 68 days, Urias vaults to the top as the youngest actually making a start in the postseason.
In the regular season, Urias was 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 77 innings.
A couple of things of note here, a few that benefit the Dodgers and some the Cubs.
Initially off, Urias did an exceptional job getting away from a sluggish start to his career and posted a 1.99 ERA in 40 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. There are a few outings therein in which he looked dominant, particularly against the Cubs on Aug. 27, when Urias started six innings and allowed just one run on six hits while striking out eight.
On the flip-side, Urias isn't really stretched out any more. As the Dodgers wanted to protect his young arm down the stretch, he pitched in regular-season game action only three times after Sept. 2, never going more than just 3 2/3 innings. Also including the playoffs, here's his workload since Sept. 2.
Date Innings Pitches:
9/13 3 2/3 78
9/21 2 33
9/29 3 58
10/15 2 30
That 10/15 outing was, by all means, Game 5 of the NLDS in relief. He didn't allow a run while only turning over one hit, but he did walk two hitters and throw strikes on only 16 of his 30 pitches.
The Cubs are also among the very best in baseball at hitting lefties, in addition to being known for their persistence at the plate.
Furthermore, though, Urias dominated them in late August. He also has remarkable stuff and make up, particularly for his age.
It feels like there's a huge variance here in regards to what could happen. Just about anything from dominating through the middle innings to being chased within the first two innings seems to remain on the table.
One point we do know already, nevertheless, is that Urias will set an MLB record on the first pitch he throws. In an of itself, that's something darn sensational.
LOS ANGELES-- Once the first pitch is pitched during Wednesday's Game 4 of the 2016 NLCS among the Cubs and Dodgers, history will have definitely been actually created. That's because said pitch will certainly have been thrown by Dodgers rookie left-hander Julio Urias.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts formally revealed Monday during the NLCS workout sessions in Dodger Stadium that Urias will get the ball in Game 4, scheduling the table for the historic start.
Why then historical? Because Urias would be 20 years and 68 days old. Which will ensure him-- you ready?-- the youngest player in major-league history in order to carry out a postseason start.
JulioUrias.jpg
Julio Urias has actually already appeared in the playoffs, but his next start will definitely make history.
The current leaderboard:.
1. Bret Saberhagan, 20 years and 175 days, 1984 ALCS Game 2.
2. Bullet Joe Bush, 20 years and 316 days, 1913 World Series Game 3.
3. Fernando Valenzuela, five starts at 20 years and 339-356 days, 1981 NLDS-WS.
8. Jim Palmer, 20 years and 356 days, 1966 World Series Game 2.
Again, at 20 years and 68 days, Urias vaults to the top as the youngest actually making a start in the postseason.
In the regular season, Urias was 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 77 innings.
A couple of things of note here, a few that benefit the Dodgers and some the Cubs.
Initially off, Urias did an exceptional job getting away from a sluggish start to his career and posted a 1.99 ERA in 40 2/3 innings after the All-Star break. There are a few outings therein in which he looked dominant, particularly against the Cubs on Aug. 27, when Urias started six innings and allowed just one run on six hits while striking out eight.
On the flip-side, Urias isn't really stretched out any more. As the Dodgers wanted to protect his young arm down the stretch, he pitched in regular-season game action only three times after Sept. 2, never going more than just 3 2/3 innings. Also including the playoffs, here's his workload since Sept. 2.
Date Innings Pitches:
9/13 3 2/3 78
9/21 2 33
9/29 3 58
10/15 2 30
That 10/15 outing was, by all means, Game 5 of the NLDS in relief. He didn't allow a run while only turning over one hit, but he did walk two hitters and throw strikes on only 16 of his 30 pitches.
The Cubs are also among the very best in baseball at hitting lefties, in addition to being known for their persistence at the plate.
Furthermore, though, Urias dominated them in late August. He also has remarkable stuff and make up, particularly for his age.
It feels like there's a huge variance here in regards to what could happen. Just about anything from dominating through the middle innings to being chased within the first two innings seems to remain on the table.
One point we do know already, nevertheless, is that Urias will set an MLB record on the first pitch he throws. In an of itself, that's something darn sensational.