The strength of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation is one reason to be optimistic about the team’s prospects heading into the final month of the season and October.
The Dodgers are able to utilize a six-man rotation despite only having five pitchers strictly occupying starting roles, which is a benefit of having Shohei Ohtani in the organization.
Because of that advantage, the Dodgers could add two relievers to their bullpen once the rosters expand in September if they are willing to trim their rotation to five. Teams are limited to 13 pitchers on their 26-man roster from Opening Day through the end of August, and that cap expands to 14 pitchers in the month of September.
The Dodgers are considering a switch to a five-man rotation, but haven’t reached a conclusion.
“I think that right now we feel good with the six,” manager Dave Roberts said. “We haven’t gone through the rotation yet for the next 10 days, which is going to be kind of hard if you’re looking at off days and things like that, so we’re talking through that right now.
“Certainly, we have a lot of stability. Especially with Shohei built up and expect to get him through five [Wednesday].
“The guys are throwing the baseball really well and I know our ‘pen is in a good spot too. As far as the five-man, can’t quite answer that right now.”
The Dodgers currently have 13 pitchers on their active roster, but it’s technically 14 because Ohtani doesn’t count toward the cap.
But with Max Muncy, Hyeseong Kim, and Tommy Edman due to be activated from the injured list over the course of this month, the Dodgers would need to make some roster decisions if they want to move forward with 14 pitchers.
However, carrying 14 pitchers is something the Dodgers should consider because it could allow them to maximize their bullpen options over the course of a series, and it would give more starts to the top-five pitchers in their rotation.
The Dodgers are already skipping Emmet Sheehan’s turn in the rotation this week, which could be a potential sign of their plans moving forward.
If Sheehan is going to be on the postseason roster, it would likely come in a relief role, so this gives them a chance to get him ready for that.
Dodgers benefitting from healthy starting rotation
The Dodgers’ rotation is the strongest it has been all season, now that Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are healthy and contributing, and Ohtani is built up.
Roberts said that the steadying presence of the starters has lightened the load for the rest of the team.
“It’s been two or three years since we’ve had this run of health from the starters, and certainly the performance,” he said.
“We kind of had to weather that early on to get guys back. They’ve performed, they’ve been great, and obviously we value those guys. It’s just made life a lot easier for all of us.”
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