DE LA LUZ — Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman met with the visiting team’s dugout in Miami at the beginning of September to discuss several matters, chief among them being the starting pitching

The Dodgers were going through one of the most difficult phases of the season at the time. Walker Buehler was almost out for the season, Clayton Kershaw was still getting back to full strength after suffering a left shoulder injury, and Julio Urías had been placed on paid administrative leave due to charges of domestic abuse.

Booking.com-sponsored NLDS Game 1 will air on TBS on Saturday at 9:20 p.m. ET/6:20 p.m. PT.

But Friedman offered a resounding message of support in spite of everything that was going on.

At the time, Friedman stated, “We feel like we’re going to have a lot of talent on our pitching staff in October because we feel like we have really talented arms both in Triple-A, on the IL, and on our active roster.” “It’s possible that we are currently unsure of the 13’s precise identities. However, we are quite certain that we will bring some mature material to the table.

With regard to their pitching staff, the Dodgers have faced numerous challenges this season. The only pitcher who will be in the postseason rotation is Kershaw, who started the Opening Day rotation. Due to injuries to their right elbows, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin were both out for the season.

But even with some important pitchers out of the lineup for the past two months, Los Angeles has at last shown some of that “big-boy stuff” Friedman mentioned. With a 2.23 ERA after the All-Star break and a 4.43 ERA in the first half, the bullpen has improved the most on the team.

Breakdown of the Dodgers vs. D-backs position by position

But now, the focus is on whether the Dodgers have enough pitching to win 11 games as they prepare for their National League Division Series against the D-backs.

Roberts on the NLDS matchup with the D-backs

“Time will tell,” stated Dave Roberts, the manager. “I believe that is definitely feasible. However, that also means that we must score some runs offensively. Therefore, I think we’ll have a lot of talented arms and know how to use them. Does it suffice? I mean, I’m hoping that will be sufficient.

• FAQ for NLDS Game 1

The Dodgers have not held back when announcing that they will not be using traditional pitching in October. It’s partly a matter of necessity. Their mentality of attempting to maximize matchups is largely to blame. They’ll use the bullpen aggressively. Calculus will include openers.

The Dodgers will need quality innings and some duration at the top of the rotation from Kershaw and Bobby Miller for all of that to function at its peak for a full month. The team is really optimistic that won’t be a problem considering what both have done previously.

Miller pitched four innings

For the Dodgers, things get a little more nuanced behind Kershaw and Miller. Lance Lynn is the obvious option to start the third game in the NLDS. Despite having a ton of postseason experience, the seasoned right-hander has had a pretty difficult season.

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During the regular season, Lynn gave up the most home runs (four) of any pitcher in the Major Leagues. That might be a major problem considering how crucial it is to keep runs in check throughout the postseason.

Rookies Ryan Pepiot or Emmet Sheehan could be good choices for Game 3 and two starts in a possible NL Championship Series if Lynn isn’t behind Kershaw and Miller.

Ryan Pepiot struck out nine times

Pepiot has done well after being given more opportunities; in his final five outings of the regular season, he finished with a 2.57 ERA. Sheehan has also shown promise, giving the Dodgers more swing-and-miss stuff.

In Game 1, Sheehan may also bat behind Kershaw for a few innings to give the opponent a different viewpoint from the right side.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said, “I think your talent makes up for what it may be lacking in experience.” Still, this group has performed admirably overall, especially in the last few minutes. Watching these guys perform live excites me.

Philips completes the Dodgers victory

The success of the Dodgers will probably depend more on their bullpen than on what they do with their starting staff in the NLDS and beyond. The trio of Ryan Brasier, Brusdar Graterol, and Evan Phillips in the back end will be crucial.

The Dodgers think they have enough left in left-handers Caleb Ferguson and Alex Vesia, but they will need to perform significantly better than they did for the majority of the season.

D-backs vs. Dodgers preview

We do know, though, that this will be no ordinary scheme. Perhaps the Dodgers enjoy it that way. In the end, a wide-open NL race will determine whether it succeeds or fails on the field.

“Our depth and arm talent,” Friedman remarked. “We are quite pleased with it.”