The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a less-than-favorable situation yet again as they are back to the playoffs for a 12th consecutive season but with major uncertainty surrounding the starting rotation.
The Dodgers will be without Tyler Glasnow, who was ruled out from pitching again this year due to right elbow tendinitis. Gavin Stone also isn’t unavailable because of right shoulder inflammation, and Brusdar Graterol (right shoulder inflammation) and Clayton Kershaw (left big toe inflammation) likely are out for the National League Division Series.
The absence of Glasnow, Stone and Kershaw had the Dodgers scrambling a bit to put together the best postseason rotation possible.
Walker Buehler’s recent improvement and Landon Knack’s emergence helped ease some concern, but the Dodgers plan to lean on their overall pitching staff in October.
“Obviously length is always better, but I think we’re focused on much more quality over just a ton of quantity,” answered general manager Brandon Gomes when asked about Dodgers starting pitchers not going deep into games with any semblance of consistency.
“We have a really talented group with experience in the playoffs, and our bullpen, I think is a really, really strong component of this team. So we’ll have really good options across every game. If our starters are feeling good and throwing well, and the game affords us to push them, I’m sure that’s what Doc (Dave Roberts) will do.
“Each game will dictate what happens with each guy.”
Dodgers pitchers for NLDS
The Dodgers’ postseason rotation is going to comprise of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Buehler and Knack. Yamamoto was flipped to start Game 1 of the NLDS, with Flaherty taking the ball in Game 2.
The Dodgers have not decided on when Buehler or Knack will take the mound against the San Diego Padres.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers bullpen figures to have Anthony Banda, Ryan Brasier, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia.
Edgardo Henriquez, Daniel Hudson and Joe Kelly are candidates to round out the Dodgers pitching staff for the NLDS.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
