I have no idea and it sounds stupid but maybe because he'd rather have his best pitcher pitching at home, in a pitcher's park at night (where pitchers tend to fare better at Dodger Stadium)? I know my explanation doesn't make sense, I was just trying to think of some way that it would even begin to be justified. If the Pirates wrap up the other NLDS today, and the Dodgers win tonight, Kershaw wouldn't be available on regular rest until probably game 3, meaning he'd start game 3 and 7 instead of 1, 4 and 7. Yeah doesn't make sense. Is the game 1 start date of the LCS fluid, or is it set no matter the outcome of the LDS series?