LEADING OFF: Curious pitching strategy in playoffs all over

A look at what's happening around the majors today:

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PITCHING IN

In a postseason already marked by curious pitching strategy, Julio Urías returns to his regular role in the rotation when the Los Angeles Dodgers play Atlanta in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series.

Braves manager Brian Snitker says he'll go with a bullpen game. After losing 6-5 on Tuesday night, he said he hadn't decided who would start.

Urías led the majors with 20 wins this season while pitching 32 times, all as a starter. After starting and winning Game 2 of the NL Division Series against San Francisco, he threw four key innings of relief in the deciding Game 5 victory over the Giants.

Urías then blew a late lead in relief in Game 2 of the NLCS, allowing Atlanta to eventually win. Los Angeles trails the series 2-1 going into this matchup at Dodger Stadium.

The 25-year-old lefty excelled as a starter and reliever in the postseason last year, helping the Dodgers win their first World Series championship since 1988.

Earlier this month, Dodgers ace Max Scherzer became the closer for a day, finishing off the Giants in Game 5.

On Tuesday night, the Boston Red Sox used Nathan Eovaldi in relief for the first time since 2019. Brought in to begin the ninth inning with the score tied against Houston in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series, he was charged with four runs.

The Astros won 9-2 to even the matchup at two games each.

SWATTING STARTERS

Kyle Schwarber, Xander Bogaerts and the slugging Red Sox are making short work of opposing starting pitchers this postseason.

In nine playoff games so far, only once has a starter pitched even three full innings against Boston. Astros ace Zack Greinke became the latest to get chased, lasting only 1 1/3 innings Tuesday night at Fenway Park in Game 4 of the AL...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Curious-pitching-strategy-in-16547535.php