Despite just falling short of a World Series championship, the Los Angeles Dodgers once again boasted one of the game’s best pitching staffs during the 2017 season, with a plethora of All-Star level talent in the starting rotation and bullpen.
The club’s arms accumulated a team total of 24.3 WAR, per FanGraphs’ calculations, which was good for third in the league. What’s more, Los Angeles additionally ranked first among all National League teams in ERA (3.38), FIP (3.67) and xFIP (3.70).
The starting rotation received contributions from a wide variety of arms, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and first-time All-Star Alex Wood.
Here’s a look back at some of the most notable performances from the Dodgers’ pitching staff last season, via the team’s official Twitter account:
An RBI double for the Big Man!
Take a look at some of the best performances from Dodger pitchers this year. #Dodgers2017 pic.twitter.com/ZFAqgzFEPo
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) 28 December 2017
Despite a stint on the disabled list, Kershaw still logged 175 frames and managed to lead the NL with 18 wins. He posted a 2.31 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and was one of many Dodgers pitchers to put up a double-digit strikeouts per nine innings ratio (10.4).
In his third season with the Dodgers, Wood enjoyed a career year to the tune of a 2.72 ERA, 3.32 FIP and 1.06 WHIP over 152.1 innings. He tallied a personal-best 16 wins and cashed in two superb outings in the World Series to boot.
Rounding out an excellent starting pitching staff includes the likes of Rich Hill, who nearly tossed a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates before surrendering a walk-off home run in the 10th inning of a scoreless contest.
Midseason acquisition Yu Darvish also contributed some solid outings for the Dodgers before faltering in the Fall Classic. Los Angeles also relied heavily on its elite bullpen, led by former setup man Brandon Morrow and closer Kenley Jansen.
A Minor League-signee, Morrow established himself as one of the better late-inning relievers in baseball behind a 2.06 ERA and 1.55 FIP over 43.2 innings.
He also appeared in all but one postseason game for the Dodgers and became just the second pitcher in history to take the mound in seven World Series games. Jansen, who returned to the Dodgers after testing free agency, racked up 41 saves and posted minuscule numbers all-around, including a 1.32 ERA and 1.31 FIP.
