In most scenarios, a team’s success depends on the performance of their pitcher. If they are hanging pitches over the plate, missing spots, or just not competing to the fullest of their ability, it leaves a suffocating amount of pressure on the offense that is difficult to overcome.
As October quickly approaches, the Los Angeles Dodgers are faced with the question of what their postseason pitching staff will look like. The powerhouse team has endured many struggles on the mound in 2024 that have yet to subside as the league reaches its final regular season month of the year.
With a handful of their stars on the injured list and others not throwing in their typical lights-out fashion, the Dodgers will have to decide on their rotation as the daunting future of the postseason looms. Will the Dodgers’ rotation be an asset or a liability to them in October?
Potential Positivity For Dodgers
For many pitchers, this season has not been all they hoped for regarding their performance and health. Walker Buehler has faced ups and downs throughout his time on the mound in 2024. Once undoubtedly an asset to the rotation, he must work the next few weeks to prove his place in playoffs.
Buehler returned to the mound for the first time in two years in early May. The beginning of his season was more than shaky as he had roughly one quality start between May and June. His ERA in June was a startling 9.00. In his short stint back, he headed to the IL again with a right hip injury until he made his second return in August.
Since then, he has started four games, only taking the loss in his first game back versus the Milwaukee Brewers. His most recent start in Anaheim was a very promising look for the two-time All-Star. He went five innings, giving up two runs and garnering six strikeouts. If Buehler can keep improving from his recent showing, he will be a necessary asset for the rotation.
Bobby Miller Has Struggled
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While Buehler is on the ups, Bobby Miller has had a sorry season for Los Angeles this year. He is harboring a 7.79 ERA on the year and is not in postseason shape as it stands. His most recent outing against the Angels was disappointing for many reasons. He allowed seven earned runs in five innings pitched. The majority of runs came in the first couple of innings. Miller was able to limit the damage and stay in for five total innings, which saved the bullpen from an overabundance of work.
Manager Dave Roberts discussed Miller’s outing and his thoughts moving forward. He described him as a pitcher who can adjust and limit damage in moments like those, though that version of him has yet to show up this season. Pitch quality wasn’t the issue, sequencing was where the problems seemed to lie for Miller.
“They’re an aggressive fastball-hitting team and as he started sequencing better, he got more efficient outs,” said Roberts. “Fortunately he got through five innings but the damage was already done…It’s not about the stuff. The stuff is there. It’s about performance.” Roberts says that Miller will be remaining in the rotation as of now. There is no one to replace him right now, so he will be throwing in his next start. Whether or not he stays in the rotation during the postseason is still up in the air.
Dodgers Future Rotation
It was announced yesterday by Roberts that Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be returning to the major league mound on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. With his return, he will find his place on the rotation as he continues to build up his innings and grow more prepared for the next month.
While Clayton Kershaw is still out, Landon Knack will make his return and pitch tonight in his place versus the Cleveland Guardians. Because Kershaw’s return is uncertain, the rotation for the Dodgers will most likely consist of Buehler, Gavin Stone, Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Knack, and Miller.
The Dodgers are hopeful this rotation will be enough to lead them to success moving forward. Now tied with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Dodgers look to move ahead of them and extend their lead in the NL West even further, moving to 85-56 on the year.
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