The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday behind a solid start from Tyler Glasnow.
The right-hander completed six innings on 90 pitches, allowing two runs and four hits while collecting six strikeouts against two walks.
The performance was a continuation of an impressive Spring Training for Glasnow, who posted a 3.45 ERA and ridiculous 26-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in four starts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has praised the 32-year-old on several occasions this spring and believes he could be in line for a career year.
“I think just keep the same mound presence. Use his pitch mix, attack hitters, regardless of circumstance. Just kind of stay in the moment, slow the game down,” Roberts said of Glasnow.
“And I think he’s done a very good job of that recently, as far as the second half of last year, throughout the postseason. So I think that, actually, I know he’s in a really good spot. And so just more of that. And just to get the first one out of the way is a big step.”
Glasnow was limited to 90.1 innings last season due to a bout with right shoulder inflammation, but managed to make his biggest impact during the playoffs when he recorded a 1.69 ERA in six appearances (three starts).
Roberts stopped short of proclaiming that as the exact moment when things finally began to click for Glasnow, but believes it was an important confidence booster.
“With Tyler, I don’t know exactly the moment,” Roberts said. “I do know that we personally have really gotten a lot closer, lot of conversations between us and the staff, just kind of trying to figure out who he is, what it’s going to take for him to be consistent, realize the talent that he has.
“So not really sure. I do know that coming out of the ‘pen last year and helping us in something that he’s never done before, I think was a real confidence builder for him, as it should have been. But I’m not particularly sure exactly what moment.”
Roberts sees an all-around improved approach from Glasnow, including his mentality on start days, pitch command and controlling the running game.
“I like guys that walk slow, that talk slow, bleeding into starts, and I think it just kind of bleeds into the game,” Roberts began. “And I just like where he’s at, so he’s in a good spot.
“He’s got control of the fastball. He’s got command of the breaking ball, both breaking balls. I think he can pitch at the top if he needs to. I think he can throw a low dart if he needs to. He’s really cleaned up from the set position, as far from the stretch, he’s a lot quicker now.
“So, managing the running game, he’s done a much better job of that. So I just think in total, he’s just much more polished.”
Tyler Glasnow more relaxed with health
Some of Glasnow’s early success can be attributed to a new diet that the Dodgers asked him to adopt during the offseason, which saw the All-Star pitcher gain roughly 20 pounds.
The team is confident that the weight gain will translate into improved health for Glasnow, and Roberts believes he has a more relaxed mindset now that he no longer has to worry about his body.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Roberts said. “I think that’s certainly part of it. But then there’s another part of it too, where it’s like, you’re not always going to feel perfect, and you still got to go out there and pitch.
“And so I think that he’s also reconciled that as far as you got to go with what you got that particular day.”
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