The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation has been among baseball’s best units since the end of April, providing the team with quality outings nearly on a daily basis.
Since their hot stretch beginning on April 23, Dodgers starting pitching ranks near the top of the league in both innings pitched and ERA. That stability has been vital to their success, boosting their lead in the National League West.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and the front office have been noncommittal on a true, six-man starting rotation, but their extended list of options makes it a possibility.
“I think we’re open to anything, I think it’s just when that time comes,” Roberts said. “It’s also appreciating the ‘pen, I think most importantly, because then you’re going to a seven-man ‘pen.
“There’s some guys that we’ve got to try to really take care of usage on back to backs, three out of fours. Having Yarbs essentially as the one long guy, being mindful of that, too. So, again, once we get to Bobby being full health and being inserted, then I think the question will kind of present more clear.”
The Dodgers are aware of certain arms on the roster that haven’t had a huge workload in their careers to this point, whereas Yohinobu Yamamoto pitched on a different schedule in previous years. Putting a plan in place would take some tinkering, but the same blueprint won’t work for everyone.
“I think that with certain guys, we’ve done a really nice job of communicating and giving them giving them five days off, sometimes six,” Roberts added. “And then you start to kind of look at the calendar and they don’t want seven days off and just trying to figure out.
“More is not always better, as far as rest, they want to get into a routine. So I think that Yamamoto is the only guy that’s really used to pitching once a week and other guys, I think it’s more of trying to figure out what’s best for them individually and collectively.
‘So once we get to that point with Bobby then I think the conversation will start to heat up. But also really appreciating a seven-man ‘pen and you don’t want to expose yourself either.”
Having the arms to facilitate a six-man rotation is an advantage for the Dodgers, so long as the production stays high, or at least, a solid baseline level.
Dodgers rotation
Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Gavin Stone and James Paxton make up their current rotation. The Dodgers maneuvering their usage around to give proper rest because of injury history and past workload is where they’ll have to keep a close eye.
Bobby Miller is expected to return soon, and he will be added to the rotation, which is why the Dodgers would consider the six-man rotation. In addition, Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May are also potential options down the stretch.
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