NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been known for the pitching staff from players like Sandy Koufax up to current pitchers like Clayton Kershaw. Year in and year out, the Dodgers are expected to be at the top of most if not all pitching categories. This season, the Dodgers pitching staff has not lived up to their usual high standards, as injuries and poor performances have hit the pitching staff. As the 2023 postseason draws near, the Dodgers are faced with answering unfamiliar questions as to who will be in their rotation when the playoffs begin and what type of productivity will see.
Entering the season, the Dodgers looked to have a plethora of starting pitching to choose from to set their 5 man rotation. Injuries have depleted their options as Dustin May was lost early in the year due an arm injury. Tony Gonsolin has been lost for what looks like until 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. Walker Buehler who was rehabbing from his own Tommy John surgery, hoped to return to the Dodgers in September.
Those hopes were dashed when the Dodgers announced that Buehler would not return this season for the playoff run and would focus on coming back at full strength for the 2024 season. These injuries and the disappointment of Julio Urias and his inexcusable actions have put the Dodgers in a position they did not anticipate at the beginning of the season of relying on their young arms. As the 2023 postseason approaches, who will the Dodgers have in their starting rotation?
Clayton Kershaw is a lock to be one of the starting pitchers for the Dodgers in the postseason. On the year, Kershaw has a record of 12-4 with a 2.61 E.R.A. Kershaw is still dealing with a shoulder issue that sidelined him for 6 weeks earlier this season. This past week, manager Dave Roberts stated that Kershaw is still not 100% as it has been evident in his past two starts his velocity has dropped and his control has not been what Dodgers fans are accustomed to seeing. Things do appear to be improving for Kershaw as he threw a 30-pitch bullpen session this week and came out unscathed. Expect Kershaw to get the ball for game one of the playoffs.
Lance Lynn was acquired at the trade deadline to add depth to the Dodgers rotation as well as eat innings. Since coming to the Dodgers, Lynn has a record of 5-2 with an E.R.A. of 4.60. In two of his starts for the Dodgers, Lynn allowed 15 combined runs in a total of 9 innings. Outside of those 2 starts, Lynn has given the Dodgers actually they envisioned when they made the trade. Given his experience, Lynn should be expected to be in the playoff starting rotation.
Rookie Bobby Miller has had a remarkable season for the Dodgers. Currently, Miller has a record of 9-3 with an E.R.A of 3.98. Miller possesses a pitch arsenal that he can throw at any point in the count. Miller is projected to pitch 113 innings this season, which would be the most he’s thrown in his career. With the lead the Dodgers have in the National League West, the Dodgers have the opportunity to push back starts for Miller as well as limit his pitch count as a way to keep him as fresh as possible for the postseason. Dodger fans should expect to see Miller in the playoff rotation.
In terms of a #4 starter, the Dodgers do have options available. Ryan Pepiot has looked impressive since coming back from an oblique strain in spring training that kept away from the big club until August. In 3 starts, Pepiot has allowed a total of 3 runs while averaging 6 innings per start. If Pepiot is not used as a starter in the playoffs, look for Pepiot to be used to piggyback a starting pitcher who struggles. Gavin Stone does not appear to be a viable option as a starter as he has not produced the season the Dodgers envisioned. If Stone is on the postseason roster, look for the Dodgers to bring him out of the bullpen.
Since being acquired from the Kansas City Royals, Ryan Yarbrough has been a key arm out of the bullpen with 1.46 E.R.A since joining the Dodgers. In relief, Yarbrough can eat multiple innings and allow manager Dave Roberts to set up his bullpen for the remainder of the game. Yarbrough can also be used as a starter for the Dodgers as he has experience as a starter while with Kansas City. Dodger fans should not expect to see Yarbrough in the starting rotation as he is more valuable for the Dodgers coming out of the bullpen.
With Kershaw, Lynn, and Miller, the Dodgers have their top 3 starting pitchers for the upcoming playoffs. The question the Dodgers will be faced with going into the postseason is whether they will go with a 3 man rotation. If they make that decision, an option the Dodgers will entertain is going with a bullpen game instead of a 4th starter. If the Dodgers to elect to go with a 4th starter, the options that the organization usually has will not be there this postseason. For the 1st time in a number of years, the Dodgers will be forced to answer unfamiliar questions regarding their playoff pitching staff.
