Can Kershaw Save the Dodgers?

LOS ANGELES, CA -- The Los Angeles Dodgers will seek to avoid elimination with the help of pitcher Clayton Kershaw today when they play host to the Washington Nationals in Game 4 of their National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Kershaw will pitch on short rest for the Dodgers in Game 4, hoping to build on his 1-2 in postseason record on short rest, giving up four earned runs and striking out 23.

The Nationals defeated the Dodgers, 8-3, on Monday to take a two games to one lead in the best-of-five series. Washington scored four runs in the third inning to take a 4-1 lead, then added four more in the ninth.

National relievers shut out the Dodgers over the final 4 1/3 innings after Carlos Ruiz's two-run pinch-hit home run in the fifth.

Neither manager has announced today's starting pitcher.

Game 5, if necessary, would be played Thursday in Washington.

Dodger broadcaster Jaime Jarrin will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

The national anthem will be sung by country artist Cassadee Pope, the winner of the fall 2012 season of the NBC singing competition "The Voice."

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Edmundo Bendana of Los Angeles will be honored as the military hero of the game. Bendana was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 and Iraq in 2003. He is now a recruiter.

Auto gates will open at 11:05 a.m., with stadium gates opening at 11:35 a.m. The first pitch is set for 2:05 p.m.

Fans are being encouraged to arrive early and to carpool or use an alternative transportation service.

City News Service; Photo: Arturo Pardavila III on Flickr