The Los Angeles Dodgers play the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday in Game 1 of the NL championship series. The game starts at 8:37 p.m. ET. Listen to the live radio broadcast HERE or watch the live stream HERE (select providers).
Los Angeles enjoyed a few extra days of rest after closing out its NL division series in four games against the Atlanta Braves. The money the Dodgers spent on its roster has thus far panned out. The team spent more than $200 million on the roster, including paying six players at least $15 million, ESPN reports.
"I think the payroll gets thrown out there in general, and then it becomes an expectation," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, via ESPN. "You've got these high-profile guys, you've got big names, guys making big money, you're supposed to win."
Zack Greinke, one of the six players making at least $15 million, is slated to open the championship series for the Dodgers on Friday. Greinke and Clayton Kershaw give the Dodgers two Ace-quality pitchers, something credited to Los Angeles' willingness to spend money.
"So it's nice to start a series with a guy of his caliber," said Mattingly. "In this environment, it's nice to have those two right on top."
The Cardinals, meanwhile, clinched their third straight NL championship appearance with a Game 5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"Obviously, it was a great celebration and a lot of fun," said Cardinals reliever John Axford. "The clubhouse guys, I don't know if they even went home."
St. Louis will still be without first baseman Allen Craig, who received a second opinion on his left mid-foot sprain. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said the team would like to get him ready for the next series, but admitted Craig's sprain was a "tough injury."
Joe Kelly takes the mound for St. Louis.
