Beginning with Tuesday’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers will play 17 games in 16 days. Saturday calls for a split doubleheader at Petco Park to make up a rainout from May.
The Dodgers’ lone off days prior to the regular season winding to a close are Sept. 14 and 28. With a busy stretch ahead, utilizing a six-man starting rotation is being considered. “I see it as a very good possibility,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It makes sense.”
Los Angeles has relied on their depth throughout the season, and September shouldn’t prove any different with active rosters expanding. Though, Roberts has been clear in stating the team will not call up players simply for the sake of doing so.
He further noted the Dodgers are not in a position to hold “try outs,” and already field an active roster with plenty of competition throughout.
Potentially using a six-man rotation was first broached in Spring Training, and immediately dismissed by Roberts as an option. The Dodgers did temporarily use the strategy in late April when Julio Urias was promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
They stuck with an extra starter a second turn through the rotation before reverting back to five. With Clayton Kershaw scheduled to return and start Friday, it does answer one question for the Dodgers.
They will next need to decide on a second starter for Saturday; Yu Darvish is expected to take the hill in one of the two games. Alex Wood, currently on the disabled list because of left SC joint inflammation, targeted the series with the San Diego Padres for his return.
