The Dodgers and Nationals may be pretty evenly matched going into the National League Division Series on Friday afternoon at Nationals Park, but the unpredictable nature of the playoffs makes it crucial for the Dodgers to win Game 1 with Clayton Kershaw on the mound. Although the Nationals have been hit with ill-timed injuries, they still pose a threat and happen to have the reigning National League MVP on their team.
Of course, Bryce Harper has only one hit, a home run, in 15 at-bats against the ace southpaw. Harper bats second today in Dusty Baker‘s lineup for the NLDS series opener.