Dodgers Announce Surprise Starter for Game 1 of NLDS Against Nationals

Well, we certainly didn't see this coming.

Given their sheer dominance of the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts have literally had months to consider which of their star hurlers would open Game 1 of the NLDS.

Rather than go with his experienced top guns, the skipper appears ready to roll with 25-year-old Walker Buehler in the series-opener against the Washington Nationals on Thursday.

Labeling this settlement as stunning isn't a slight to Buehler's brilliant 2019 campaign. We just presumed that Roberts would hand the ball to Clayton Kershaw -- arguably the best pitcher of his generation who also just so happens to have a profusion of postseason experience under his belt -- or Ryu, who is absolutely dominant at Dodger Stadium.

Whatever the case, Roberts clearly has enough faith in Buehler to go out and get the job done in Game 1. The 2019 All-Star has logged 14 wins to go with a 3.26 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 215 strikeouts across 182.1 innings. Those are numbers that will likely see him finish in the top five of NL Cy Young voting.

We certainly admire Roberts' confidence in Buehler, a player with only three years of big league experience, but he had better hope the young buck shows out under the bright lights on Thursday night.