Dodgers’ doubleheader isn’t ideal, Don Mattingly concedes

WASHINGTON -- Rained out Tuesday night, the Dodgers will play a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.

The Dodgers will enter the game trailing the St. Louis Cardinals by 1 1/2 games for the second of two National League wild-card spots.

Manager Don Mattingly conceded that playing a doubleheader isn’t ideal.

“I think most people would want to play one at a time,” Mattingly said. “Trying to win two in one day is a tough feat.”

The alteration to the schedule will also compromise the rotation.

The Dodgers play in Cincinnati on Sunday, and Mattingly probably has to start September call-up John Ely that day or use either Aaron Harang or Josh Beckett on short rest. Harang and Beckett are starting the Dodgers’ two games Thursday.

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