NEW YORK -- Mets manager Terry Collins had the line of the night when asked whether he would rather his team face Clayton Kershaw or Alex Wood in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
"Would I have any preference? Yeah, I've got a preference," Collins said. "Believe me, this is no slap at Alex Wood. He's a fine pitcher, but I don't want that other monster on the mound."
Collins, to no one's surprise, won't get his wish. The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Monday that for the third year in a row, Kershaw will start on three days' rest in Game 4 of the NL Division Series.
Two years ago, Kershaw pitched six scoreless innings to help the Dodgers clinch the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. Last year, he breezed through six innings before allowing a three-run home run to the St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Adams in the seventh inning of the game that ended the Dodgers' season.
"The adrenaline takes over. You don't really feel tired or anything like that," Kershaw said. "It's the playoffs, so obviously, your routines change and different things like that, but as far as being prepared, getting ready for it, I'll be fine come tomorrow."
Kershaw (0-1) endured his fifth straight postseason loss after giving up the seventh playoff homer of his career in the Dodgers' 3-1 loss to New York on Friday in Game 1. Last season's NL MVP and Cy Young Award winner allowed three runs and four hits, struck out 11 and walked four in 6 2/3 innings.
During his postseason losing streak, the longest in Dodgers history, he has received only eight runs of support in 29 1/3 innings.
"I appreciate the confidence that Donnie has, the confidence in me to do it," Kershaw said. "It's a good feeling to know your manager wants you out there. Makes you want to prove him right, for sure."
If the series goes to Game 5 in Los Angeles, the Dodgers will have Zack Greinke ready to pitch on his usual four days' rest, against the Mets' Jacob deGrom.
Wood moved to the Dodgers' bullpen, pitching two innings of relief in Monday's 13-7 Game 3 loss. He yielded four runs and four hits, including a three-run homer to Yoenis Cespedes. He had pitched in relief for the Braves in 2013.
Kershaw was 16-7 with a 2.13 ERA this season, going 11-1 with a 1.22 ERA and four complete games -- three shutouts -- in his final 17 starts. He struck out 301 batters, the first major league pitcher in 13 years to reach 300.
"When I've had successes and failures, I don't think it's because of being tired. I just think it's because you're not making the pitches," he said.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.