Two days ago, Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla approached Dylan Cease about the prospect of pitching a potential decisive Game 4 on short rest. A shorter start in Game 1 was one factor. So was Cease’s conviction,

Freeman’s injured ankle has limited him throughout the NLDS. Shortstop Miguel Rojas is also out of the Game 4 lineup with his injured adductor muscle.

First baseman Freddie Freeman was scratched from Game 4 as the Dodgers try to avoid elimination in their National League Division Series against the Padres.