Ryan Pepiot Taking Starter Mindset Into Game 3 Against Diamondbacks

Ryan Pepiot is expected to factor into the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching plans for a must-win Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Wednesday night.

The Dodgers are starting Lance Lynn in the contest, but Pepiot will be on standby to provide multiple innings if the veteran struggles. “I’ll be ready for whatever is asked, whenever,” Pepiot said.

“Just keep that same mindset whether it’s starting — obviously not starting — but take the same mindset as if it was a start like I have in the past.”

Pepiot started in three of his eight games with the Dodgers this year. He closed out the regular season with three consecutive relief appearances as a bulk pitcher.

Pepiot is one of five Dodgers rookies on the NLDS roster, along with fellow pitchers Michael Grove, Bobby Miller and Emmet Sheehan, who all struggled to some degree in their respective postseason debuts.

“Obviously first postseason experience, just kind of go out there and try to do your thing,” Pepiot answered when asked what he took away from the aforementioned pitchers’ performances.

“Try not to read too much into it being a postseason game, just go out there and do whatever you can to put up zeros and give the team outs.”

Ryan Pepiot trying to slow down Diamondbacks lineup

The Diamondbacks came out swinging against Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 before taking a more measured approach when facing Miller the following contest. Pepiot is now going to be among those tasked with slowing the Arizona bats down.

“They all seem very aggressive. We’ll try to use that to our advantage,” he said.

“And then just landing offspeed early, get ahead with the fastball, whatever we’re seeing early on, just kind of go from there. Just kind of let the game dictate for itself.”