Kershaw threw 15 pitches to close out the Dodgers\u2019 Game 7 victory in the NLCS. But he is still expected to start Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night in Boston.<\/b>
\nBOSTON \u2014 The same man who threw the last pitch of NLCS Game 7 will probably throw the first pitch for the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that left-hander Clayton Kershaw is his preferred starter when the World Series opens at Fenway Park on Tuesday despite the fact that he used Kershaw to close out the pennant-clinching win Saturday night in Milwaukee.
\u201cThat\u2019s the plan,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cBut he\u2019s actually going to go throw and do some working out (Sunday) just to make sure he can do it and he feels good enough. We\u2019re hopeful but it\u2019s not definitive yet. We\u2019re not locked in yet. But it\u2019s going to be either Game 1 or Game 2.\u201d
Rich Hill will start the game Kershaw does not start at Fenway Park, either Game 1 or 2.
Either way, a World Series start at Fenway Park will be a special moment for Hill, a Boston-area native who grew up rooting for the Red Sox, pitched for them intermittently as injuries sidetracked his career in 2010-12 then began his career rebirth with them in 2015.
\u201cIt is special. It is very special,\u201d Hill said. \u201cI mean, they gave me the opportunity to get back into this position again. I\u2019m truly grateful for that. I wouldn\u2019t be in this position if it weren\u2019t for that.\u201d
Roberts made it clear before Game 7 against the Brewers that not only was Kershaw available to pitch out of the bullpen it was \u201chard to see a scenario that he\u2019s not a part of this game.\u201d
A potential scenario to save Kershaw did play out. The Dodgers built a four-run lead after six innings. But Roberts still went with closer Kenley Jansen for the final out of the seventh inning and all of the eighth, leaving the ninth for Kershaw, who had delayed throwing his usual between-starts side session in case he was needed in Game 7.
\u201cI just felt that we have to still get there,\u201d Roberts said of the decision to use Kershaw. \u201cFor him to be able to pitch Games 2 and 6 vs. Games 1 and 5 (in the World Series) \u2013 it\u2019s still two games. And to put ourselves in any situation to not win that game \u2013 although I appreciate the probabilities \u2013 I just didn\u2019t want to take any chances.\u201d
Kershaw needed only 15 pitches to retire the side in the ninth, striking out two of the three batters he faced. That provided some interesting symbolism \u2013 Kershaw throwing the pennant-clinching pitch and being engulfed by teammates on the field after enduring the painful slight of not being given the ball for the playoff opener against the Braves.
\u201cI\u2019m not going to lie,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cI think there was a little bit of thought, I guess, that it would be a pretty special moment for him and the organization. But my No. 1 thought was I felt that gave us the best chance.\u201d
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Watch the Dodgers celebrate after NLCS Game 7, advance to World Series<\/p>\n

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