With their eyes on October the Los Angeles Dodgers again changed course Wednesday and used an opener, which the Tampa Bay Rays of course revolutionized. The Dodgers this time weren’t able to ride the strategy to victory, as Kenley Jansen blew a save in an 8-7 loss in 11 innings.
Like with Ross Stripling the night prior, the change stemmed from the Dodgers wanting to see Tony Gonsolin in a role he may fill come the postseason. Casey Sadler being pressed into starting duty was still expected to result in Gonsolin pitching around four innings.
However, he entered in the fourth and only went two frames.