Julio Urias was the only 20-game winner in baseball this season, but the playoffs have seen the left-hander start just two of his four appearances thus far.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have attempted to leverage Urias’ versatility and willingness to fill any role, much like they did last October en route to ending the franchise’s championship drought. However, Urias hasn’t been able to replicate that same level of success.
His latest stumble came against the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. The start was Urias’ first since Oct. 9, but a fourth time pitching in 12 days.
The Braves were aggressive against his fastball and slugged three home runs, including a set of back-to-back, over Urias’ five innings of work. He exited after allowing five runs on eight hits, and was tabbed with the loss. It was Urias’ second time ever surrendering three homers.
There wasn’t a significant difference in fastball velocity, but Urias did not have his best command nor the ability to put batters away.
“We had a plan going into the game, obviously they made their adjustments,” Urias said of the Braves. “They hit the ball when I made those pitches. That (Eddie) Rosario home run in particular, I didn’t think it was going to go out of the stadium and when it did it was just one of those things that happened. It was their day.”
Urias added he “felt good physically” and simply tipped his cap to Atlanta for putting good swings together.
Roberts didn’t see fatigue in Urias
Heading into Urias’ start, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Max Scherzer expressed confidence the left-hander would rebound and recover from a relief appearance in Game 2.
Although Urias didn’t appear to be at his optimal level, Roberts also did not blame the heavy workload.
“You know, honestly, I don’t think he was necessarily tired and I think we’re still trying to get through how he’s pitched,” Roberts said. “I think the stuff was good. I think they had a very good gameplan for him.
“He was throwing 95 mph in the fifth inning, so I don’t think it was being tired. I think that they had a very good plan. I think they took advantage of some mistakes and hit them out of the ballpark.
“The first two out of three innings they put up four runs, so I don’t think fatigue had anything to do with it. They just had a good gameplan and took good swings.”
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