Hanley Ramirez is still dealing with the pain from a broken rib, but that isn’t going to stop him from suiting up for Game 5 of the National League Championship Series tonight.
Ramirez, who broke his rib after getting hit with a 95 mile per hour fastball thrown by Joe Kelly during game one of the series, left game four on Tuesday in the seventh inning due to severe pain. Ramirez still won’t be at 100 percent tonight, but he is expected to start for the Dodgers.
Ramirez didn’t provide much offensive help for the Dodgers during game four, but he did give the team and pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu a little extra inspiration.
Ryu said after game four: “It’s definitely a big motivation when you see your star players go out there hurt and putting it on the line for the team.”
Ramirez struck out during all three at bats in the Dodgers loss on Tuesday night. Los Angeles is now down 3-1 in the series and will have to win tonight to force a game six.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said : “I think everyone knows the importance of the game… He wants to be a part of it, feels like he can do something for us. So, he’s in there.”
Ramirez will be wearing extra padding on his rib tonight as he faces off again against Joe Kelly.
Dodgers Center fielder Andre Ethier, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is also expected to start tonight.
