:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67624094/1279074632.jpg.0.jpg)
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday morning that Clayton Kershaw has been from his start in Game 2 of the NLCS with back spasms, and that Tony Gonsolin will take his place.
Dodgers scratch Clayton Kershaw from tonight's start because of back spasms. Tony Gonsolin will start.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 13, 2020
Kershaw is a future Hall of Famer and one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, so it’s obviously bad for the Dodgers and the sport to see him scratched. This also takes him out of consideration to pitch two times during the series, although it isn’t impossible that he could pitch once if the series goes on to six or seven games. Obviously this is a huge break for the Braves, albeit in the form of an injury, which nobody ever wants to see.
Gonsolin had a great season in his own right, slashing 2.31/2.29/3.80 this season, and that a pitcher of his quality can step in as a replacement is a testament to the depth of this Dodgers organization. Notably, Gonsolin has a low home run rate, at 0.62 HR/9, which will match up against this Braves’ power hitting lineup.