Dodgers to start Clayton Kershaw on short rest in Game 4

Clayton Kershaw always wants the ball, and naturally the Dodgers love giving it to him.

Now he’s going to get it again and on short rest.

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly announced Monday that Kershaw, not Alex Wood, would be starting Tuesday’s Game 4 regardless of Game 3’s outcome.

This will be the third consecutive postseason that Kershaw has started on three days of rest instead of four. He has a 2.25 earn-run average and 0.83 walks plus hits per inning pitched in the previous two starts split by the Dodgers.

Kershaw pitched well through six innings against the Mets in their National League division series opener, but appeared to tire again in the seventh, walking the bases loaded and ending up the losing pitcher.

Asked why he decided to start Kershaw instead of Wood, Mattingly said: “Do I have to explain that one?”

Asked before the Dodgers’ announcement whether he would rather face Wood or Kershaw on short rest, Mets Manager Terry Collins said: “Believe me, this is no slap at Alex Wood. He’s a fine pitcher, but I don’t want that other monster on the mound.”