The Los Angeles Dodgers took down the Tampa Bay Rays in the series opener at Dodger Stadium, receiving a big start from Bobby Miller.
In his best outing since late March, Miller outlasted some early offense from the Rays by going on to throw six innings and allowing three runs on seven hits. The 25-year-old racked up nine strikeouts, his second-most in a start this year.
Friday’s outing lowered Miller’s season stats to a 7.49 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 37 strikeouts over 39.2 innings pitched. A down sophomore season wasn’t in the cards for what Miller had in mind, but he’s hopeful to have turned a corner against the Rays.
“That was definitely a lot of weight off my shoulders for now,” Miller said. “I’ve felt a lot of weight on my shoulders recently, it’s been really tough mentally lately.
“But that was a huge confidence booster for me. Pretty good lineup too, they were swinging a lot. Just feels like the couple mistake pitches are the big punisher right now. But I was able to really lock it in after that.”
Miller racked up 18 whiffs, the highest number from any MLB pitcher on Friday, also throwing 71% strikes.
He used his entire five-pitch mix, but it was his curveball that played a big part. Of the 24 thrown, Miller tallied a 66.7% chase-rate with a 40% whiff rate.
“That was the best my curveball has felt in a very long time,” Miller said. “I was able to rip it out there and throw it as hard as I could, instead of guiding that pitch in there. I had full trust in every single one of my pitches.
“But I can’t settle on that. I’ve got to keep moving forward and finish the year strong.”
Miller still has a runway to plant his flag with the Dodgers’ starting rotation, or at the very least, be a weapon in the bullpen as the calendar turns to postseason baseball.
What’s ahead for Bobby Miller?
Because of some uncertain news with the health of fellow starters Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, receiving production from any other sources is a welcomed deal.
Miller was penciled in as a rotation mainstay before the year thanks to his rookie campaign last season, but now he’s on a road back to form. If things continue to align back to where he was in 2023, he can be another tool in their mix down the stretch.
Not looking as lost as in previous starts, Miller blowing hitters down can do nothing but elevate their team.
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