Rest might win out over Clayton Kershaw-Noah Syndergaard matchup

Considering how well he’s pitched every fifth day this month, might Clayton Kershaw actually get an extra day off before his next start?

It’s a thought, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday.

The team has a rare day off Thursday while it travels to New York to play the Mets. The Dodgers have played 18 games in 18 days, mixing in a 17-iing contest Sunday for good measure. The streak will reach 20 before the day off, so rest is a scarce quantity.

Kershaw is a scarcer quantity, a once-in-a-generation pitcher in the midst of a ridiculous month. He’s 5-0 in five May starts, giving up three runs in 42 iings. The left-hander has faced 142 batters this month, 16 above the minimum.

It appears the only thing that can slow Kershaw down is if Roberts chooses to pitch him on five days rest Sunday against Bartolo Colon, rather than the usual four days rest on Saturday against Mets ace Noah Syndergaard. What will win out: a pitcher’s showdown for the ages or one manager’s common sense?

“I like that theory as far as using that day for everyone to get the extra day,” Roberts said. “It’s been documented by everyone that starting pitchers get the extra day, they perform better. Even for Clayton, his numbers speak to, when he gets an extra day, he performs even better.”

Not really, if you’re into splitting hairs.

Opponents hit slightly better against Kershaw on five days rest (.210 batting average, .269 on-base percentage, .305 slugging percentage) than four (.202/.261/.303). It’s a statistical flip of the coin for the pitcher and a larger question for the manager, who would be forced to start Kenta Maeda on no fewer than six days rest.

“We’re trying to figure out what we’re going to do as far as the off-day, giving guys an extra day, keeping guys on the same schedule,” Roberts said. “So yeah, we haven’t decided yet, but we’re in talks.”

Urias maintaining humility

While the Dodgers enjoy a day off Thursday, pitcher Julio Urias will try to extend his streak of 27 consecutive scoreless iings for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 19-year-old left-hander is attempting to break a 111-year-old Pacific Coast League record (44).

Luis Avilan has been there virtually since the streak began. The veteran relief pitcher, who was recalled from Triple-A on Monday, said the success hasn’t gone to Urias’ head.

“I didn’t even know that he had that streak,” Avilan said. “Whenever you have a streak like that, the last thing you want to do is talk about it.”

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Urias is 4-1 with a league-leading 1.10 ERA.

“He’s having fun because he’s having a really good moment right now. He’s making it look, like, really easy. I’ve played with a lot of prospects in my career and he’s one of the most humble prospects that I’ve ever seen.”

McCarthy throws in bullpen

Reports of Brandon McCarthy‘s demise might have been premature.

The right-handed pitcher threw a short bullpen session at Dodger Stadium, about 25 to 30 pitches, according to a team spokesperson. He took a brief step back from his every-fifth-day throwing program last week, then resumed playing long toss Monday.

McCarthy wasn’t in the Dodgers clubhouse or on the field during media availability Tuesday. A week ago he said that he would need two or three more mound sessions against live hitters before going out on a minor league rehab assignment. If that’s still the case, McCarthy might only be weeks away from his rehab assignment — a fairly insignificant setback as Tommy John surgery processes go.

Also

The Dodgers will continue with an eight-man bullpen through next week, Roberts said. “I still think we’re going to stick with that,” he said. “We’re managing to get through with a four-man bench and just giving us the flexibility with different guys in the pen is more of a priority.” ... Scott Kazmir still hasn’t been cleared to take a full swing at the plate. The pitcher was limited to bunting and half-bunting/half-swinging during batting practice because of a lingering injury on his left hand/thumb. ... Scott Van Slyke will rejoin the Dodgers no sooner than June 3, Roberts said. Van Slyke, who’s missed six weeks with a lower back injury, played first base in his first rehab game with Triple-A Oklahoma City.