3 keys for Dodgers in NLDS Game 5

Facing elimination Tuesday night, the Dodgers edged the Nationals 6-5 to knot the National League Division Series, 2-2, and force a fifth game on Thursday in Washington (5 p.m. PT on FS1).

Here are the Dodgers’ keys if they hope to win and advance to the NL Championship Series.

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Dave Roberts must manage his bullpen shrewdly Roberts has done a nice job in his first career playoff series, employing his bench aggressively and committing no egregious tactical errors. But he’ll face his biggest challenge yet in Game 5, when he must cobble together nine innings from Rich Hill on three days’ rest, rookie Julio Urias and a tired bullpen.

“It’s going to be a collection of arms,” Roberts said after Game 4. “You know, I think that we talked about Rich as an option, obviously. But so is Julio and how we want to strategize to win Game 5. We’re going to talk through it.”

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 7   LAD 4, WAS 3 Gm 2 Oct. 9   WSH 5, LAD 2 Gm 3 Oct. 10   WAS 8, LAD 3 Gm 4 Oct. 11   LAD 6, WAS 5 Gm 5 Oct. 13 8 p.m. LAD @ WSH FS1 All times listed ET • Division Series start time scenarios • Dodgers vs. Nationals NLDS coverageShop …

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