Once Clayton Kershaw took the mound Friday night against in Miami, the Los Angeles Dodgers used nine different starting pitchers in nine consecutive games. The streak began in the second game of a doubleheader last week at Coors Field.
The stretch included four straight games started by a rookie, all of whom earned a win, which marked the first time in Dodgers franchise history that was accomplished. The weekend series against the Marlins brings a different set of circumstances.
Kershaw will be followed by Rich Hill on Saturday, and Kenta Maeda on Sunday. It marks the first time since the early stages of the season where the Dodgers will get a look at their prospective postseason rotation.
Considering the club has largely operated without a true rotation for several weeks running now, this is a new and welcomed sight.
When recently asked if he believed splitting left-handers Kershaw and Hill in a postseason series was necessary for the purpose of balance, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts dismissed the idea.
“I think the philosophy of having your best pitchers back-to-back-to-back is the best formula,” he explained. Hill essentially replaces Kazmir, who was removed from a rehab start this week due to suffering a setback in his neck/right rib cage area.
The 36-year-old Hill had his debut with the Dodgers delayed multiple times due to blister trouble, but has been as-advertised in two starts thus far. He’s thrown a combined 12 shutout innings, allowing just six hits, none for extra-bases, and struck out 11.
The Dodgers reportedly have interest in re-signing the veteran to a multi-year contract prior to free agency commencing this winter.
But before the Dodgers tend to free agency matters, or even set a potential postseason rotation, they must first get through the next three weeks. Considering how the 2016 season has unfolded, taking anything for granted would be a foolish mistake.
