The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation finished July with a 6.18 ERA that ranks as the second-highest in franchise history for any month (minimum of 15 games) since earned runs allowed became an official stat in 1912.
Only the 1944 Brooklyn team had a worse monthly ERA in Dodgers franchise history, with a 7.31 mark during World War II.
“The offense has done a great job as far as trying to keep us in games and winning games, and I think the bullpen has done a great job,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after losing 9-0 to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.
“But yeah, overall, that’s a big number as far as ERA. Not sustainable. So hopefully come Tuesday, we come out of the gates, got Lance (Lynn) going, so excited for him to go out there and do what he does.”
Even after trading for Lance Lynn, the Dodgers reportedly remain in search of a starting pitcher at the August 1 deadline.
A rash of injuries and the failed Noah Syndergaard experiment have led to the Dodgers relying on three rookies in Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan and Michael Grove. Gavin Stone also made his MLB debut but did not pitch well enough to stick in the rotation.
Grove became the latest to stumble, allowing seven runs to the Reds over six innings. Grove did set a career high with 10 strikeouts, but his overall outing prompted more questions of whether the Dodgers need to trade for another starting pitcher.
“I think I’ve been very candid in saying you always have room to improve in starting pitching. We’re going to go with what we have until we have more, when and if we do,” Roberts said. “That’s kind of the mindset that we have.”
Will Dodgers move Michael Grove to bullpen?
Lynn joining the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw’s expected return later this month are sure to bring about change in the rotation.
Grove, Miller and Sheehan all have Minor League options, but the Dodgers could also look to fortify their bullpen with one of the right-handers.
“I think one of our starters could potentially go to the ‘pen,” Roberts acknowledged.
Grove briefly filled a bullpen role at the end of June, but Roberts stopped short of naming him the starter who is first to get squeezed out of the rotation.
“Certainly, he’ll be down the for the next few days and we’ll see how this next series goes,” Roberts said.
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