NFL
By George Lopez
As we come back from the MLB All-Star break, the Los Angeles Dodgers sit in 2nd place 2 games behind the surprising San Francisco Giants with a record of 56-35. After a 13-2 start to the season, the Dodgers went into a tailspin and lost 15 of the next 20 games. The Dodgers have not played with their projected starting lineup since the 2nd week of the season. Cody Bellinger was lost for nearly 60 games with a fractured leg. Corey Seager has been out since mid-May with a fractured finger. Mookie Betts has not played up to the caliber MLB fans have come to expect from him. A back injury caused him to alter his swing. In terms of position players, the Dodgers do not need to fill holes to strengthen their lineup. The one thing they need to do is get healthy.
Starting pitching is a concern. The projected starting rotation was to be Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Bauer, Walker Buehler, Dustin May, and Julio Urias. As of the writing, Trevor Bauer is in the middle of an administrative leave pending an investigation of sexual assault charges against him. Dustin May has been lost for the season due to Tommy John surgery. Kershaw gave Dodgers fans a scare when it was reported last week that he was being placed on the IL with left elbow inflammation. Thankfully, the MRI done on the elbow showed no structural damage to the elbow and he should be back soon from the IL. Julio Urias had a tremendous 1sthalf with an 11-3 record with a 3.64 ERA.* With over 100 innings pitched, Urias has pitched the most innings in a season in his career. Fatigue could be a factor for him in the 2nd half of the season.
Walker Buehler has quietly had a good 1st half to the season. He has a 9-1 record with a 2.36 ERA* This season, Buehler came out firing on all cylinders from the start. With both Urias and Buehler, the Dodgers have 2 solid starters going into the 2nd half of the season.
Kershaw has been up and down this season. When he returns from the IL, he will need to be more consistent. With the uncertain availability of Bauer and with May out for the season, what do the Dodgers do to strengthen their starting rotation?
Tony Gonsolin has returned from an early-season shoulder issue and the Dodgers have slowly been building up his pitch count to have him replace May in the rotation. David Price, who has been a solid pitcher out of the bullpen this season may be moved into the starting rotation in the 2ndhalf.
General Manager, Andrew Freidman has been known to make a splash at the trading deadline to add pieces to the Dodgers that have helped the team make a deep October run. Friedman will make a move at this season’s trading deadline to add a starting pitcher. A possible trading partner could be with the Texas Rangers. Kyle Gibson is a pitcher who would fit in tremendously with the Dodgers. He would be a nice addition to the starting rotation. Friedman should be able to make a deal without having to give up top-end prospects in the Dodgers minor league systems.
The Dodgers have the roster to make a serious run at another world championship. Adding a starting pitcher or two at the trading deadline will go a long way in getting the Dodgers over the hump in what will be an exciting end to the 2021 MLB season.
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*Stats from MLB.com
