Left-hander Dallas Keuchel wasn’t effective pitching on three days of rest for just the third time in his career.
Keuchel allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings for the Atlanta Braves in their 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Monday afternoon.
The former Cy Young Award winner last pitched Thursday in Game 1, throwing just 74 pitches in the series opener.
Manager Brian Snitker had indicated Sunday night that Keuchel was an option to start Game 4 but said he wanted to wait until Monday to make his final decision.
With an off-day Tuesday, Snitker also noted nearly all of Atlanta’s pitchers were available in Game 4. The only pitcher who was not was Game 3 starter Mike Soroka.
Mike Foltynewicz, who is expected to start Game 5 in Atlanta if necessary, was “available,” Snitker said, “if something happened, you know?” He did not enter the game.
The Braves took a 2-1 series lead Sunday with a 3-1 victory in Game 3, highlighted by a dramatic three-run ninth-inning rally, but the series became all tied up at 2-2 when Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina hit a winning sacrifice fly in the 10th inning Monday.
Keuchel, 31, pitched 4 2/3 innings and did not record a decision in Atlanta’s Game 1 loss, allowing one run and five hits with three walks and no strikeouts.
The two-time All-Star is 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 11 career postseason games, including 10 starts.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers contributed to this report.