Matt Harvey absent from Mets workout with no explanation

Don Mattingly could not have a made a wrong decision, even if in the eyes of a few Los Angeles Dodgers fans he can never make the right one.

This one isn’t expected to be close when Los Angeles, a substantial -190 favorite, takes on New York. But the Dodgers’ series-tying win in Game Four – which took place 27 years ago Friday, when the Mets and Dodgers are scheduled to open the NLDS at Dodger Stadium – turned an otherwise ordinary NLCS into a classic. The workout began around noon.

New York Mets starter Matt Harvey (33) pitches against the…

New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey arrived late and missed the the team’s mandatory workout on Tuesday because he was caught in traffic. Matz, who has not pitched in a game since September 24 because of back spasms, threw a bullpen session at Citi Field before the formal team workout.

Collins plans to start three left-handed hitters against Kershaw: Curtis Granderson, Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda.

The Rangers have won their past 10 games started by Hamels, including the regular-season finale Sunday with his complete game in a 9-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels to clinch the division title.

NEW YORK (AP) – Michael Cuddyer and the New York Mets are well aware of the challenge ahead.

The Dodgers don’t have the Mets’ rotation depth, but the fact they can use Kershaw on short rest if needed for a potential Game 4 before returning Greinke on full rest for a Game 5, makes the task formidable for the NL East champions.

“He was our last pitcher, so pretty much if he got in trouble, we didn’t have anybody”, Hershiser said. “He’s doing better, but it’s still not where it needs to be”, Mattingly said.

Harvey’s public disagreements with the Mets date back nearly two years, when he and the team sparred over – and eventually compromised on – the location of his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Clayton Kershaw will start Game 1 for the Dodgers.

Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young victor, was 19-3 with a 1.66 ERA this year – lowest in the majors since Hall of Famer Greg Maddux posted a 1.63 mark for Atlanta in 1995. All three of them know what it’s like to be a kid playing in October. “So you know, I don’t think anybody on the team has looked at it as any more than that”, he added. “I can’t say I am happy about it. I guess we have to wait to see what happened”.

Graney, a former player, called Cleveland games from 1932-1944 and 1946-1953; McNamee worked for Westinghouse (1923-1925) and NBC (1926-1935), including 12 World Series; Wilson did Chicago Cubs games from 1944-1955, starting by broadcasting from a rooftop behind Wrigley Field’s bleachers.