"Dylan Cease is a strikeout pitcher" - Ex-Yankees coach sees Shohei Ohtani as sole threat to Padres ace in NLDS Game 4 against Dodgers

Dylan Cease is getting the start for the San Diego Padres for Game 4 of the NLDS on just a few days of rest. He got lit up in his first start in the series, lasting just 3.1 innings while giving up five runs.

He will be looking to put that performance behind him and help his club advance to the NLCS. San Diego holds a 2-1 lead over their in-state rivals, and a win here could shift the rivalry.

Former New York Yankees coach and MLB Network media personality Sean Casey believes he will get the job done. He explained his reasoning on a recent airing of MLB Now.

"I like it. I think it is a good move. I mean, you look at Dylan Cease, 224 punch-outs during the year. This guy is a strikeout pitcher," Casey said.

Casey believes Cease's whiff rate will play a factor in this game. With players like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman on the other side, you got to have to make those at-bats as tough as can be.

"He didn't have his stuff in Game 1 and I think the one guy I'm a little nervous about is Ohtani who hits Cease really well. So, I think you need to navigate him closely," said Casey.

However, Casey is a bit worried about Shohei Ohtani. During his career, Ohtani has faced Cease 15 times, getting four hits, two of those being for home runs.

Dylan Cease and the Padres need to take advantage of their opportunity

San Diego Padres - Dylan Cease and Manny Machado (Photo via IMAGN)

Dylan ceases and the Padres have a perfect opportunity to close out the series on their home field. Wednesday's game will be at Petco Park while Game 5 will be played at Dodger Field, if necessary.

If the Padres were to lose Game 4, all the momentum would shift in favor of the Dodgers. Dodger Stadium is also a tough place to play and the crowd would be electric for a winner-take-all game.

Cease and the rest of the club need to make the most out of this home game. Cease must keep the ball in the park and the offense must come out early and often because it does not take long for that Dodgers offense to score runs.

Game 4 is set to be one fans will not want to miss out on as LA's season could be over after tonight.