There were a few raised eyebrows when Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts elected to start Hyun-Jim Ryu over Clayton Kershaw for Game 1 of their National League Division Series against Atlanta.
The move paid off as Ryu scattered four hits while striking out eight over seven innings of the Dodgers' 6-0 shutout of the Braves in the MLB playoffs on Thursday night.
Ryu was well-supported from the start as Joc Pederson led off the bottom of the first with a homer, one inning before Max Muncy slammed a three-run shot.
Kike Hernandez also went deep for the league's most productive home run team during the regular season.
Losing pitcher Mike Foltynewicz lasted just two innings, surrendering four runs and three hits.
The series stays in L.A. for Game 2 on Friday. Kershaw will start against Anibal Sanchez of the Braves.