LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The westbound bus lane on Sunset Boulevard between Figueroa Street and Elysian Park Avenue will be open to vehicles with four or more passengers from 2-8 p.m. today in an attempt to encourage people to carpool to Dodger Stadium.
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced last week that parking would be free for the remainder of the postseason for all vehicles carrying at least four people. The announcement came in response to several hundred fans being unable to park at Dodger Stadium last Monday for Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
All auto and stadium gates will open at 2 p.m. today for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. The Dodger Stadium Express will operate starting at 2 p.m. from Union Station to Dodger Stadium.
The team is encouraging fans to arrive early, carpool and use public transit for the sold-out game, whose first pitch is set for 5:07 p.m. Pregame ceremonies will begin at 4:45 p.m.
Dusty Baker, Reggie Smith, Ron Cey and Steve Garvey, who made the 1977 Dodgers the first team in Major League Baseball history to have four players hit at least 30 home runs, will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
The Dodgers trail the St. Louis Cardinals, two games to none, in the best-of-seven series.
“Our guys know where we’re at,” Dodger manager Don Mattingly said. “It’s a matter of getting that key hit. We’ve talked about it. We could talk about a lot of things, but it always comes back to can you get that key out and can you get the key hit.”
Hyun-Jin Ryu, who allowed four runs and six hits over three innings on Oct. 6 in his only other postseason appearance, will be the Dodgers starting pitcher, opposing Adam Wainwright.
“I think Hyun-Jin’s biggest thing is going to be fastball location,” Mattingly said. “When he’s pitching off that and getting his fastball in that downhill plain, he’s been effective against everybody. But if he’s not locating the fastball, he’s not a power pitcher.”
Mattingly said Sunday he did not have an update on shortstop Hanley Ramirez, who missed Saturday’s 1-0 loss because of bruised ribs sustained Friday when he was hit by a pitch. Mattingly described outfielder Andre Ethier, who was limited to pinch-hitting duty Saturday because of an ankle injury, as “day-to-day.”
A decision on whether Ethier will start today probably won’t be made “until we get here” Mattingly said.
