Needing seven outs to capture their first World Series title since 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers turned to Julio Urias to close the door on the Tampa Bay Rays.
The left-hander was in the midst of a magnificent postseason that saw him thrive as both a starter and reliever. He continued that dominance in Game 6, tossing 2.1 perfect innings to help the Dodgers get past the finish line.
In six total appearances (two starts) during the playoffs, Urias went a perfect 4-0 with a 1.17 ERA and 0.65 WHIP across 23 innings. He allowed just three runs, struck out an impressive 29 batters and issued only four walks.
During an interview with David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports, Max Muncy offered high praise for Urias and compared his postseason performance to that of Madison Bumgarner in 2014:
“If you just look at what he did the entire postseason, I don’t know what it was — I think it was he closed out two or three different games we were clinching with three innings in each of those. I don’t think he allowed more than one baserunner in any of those three innings, if I remember the stats correctly. That’s the type of stuff you talk about, and I don’t like bringing him up, but that’s the kind stuff you were talking about when Madison Bumgarner won in 2014 with the performance he went out there and did. That’s very similar to what Julio did. Whatever spot they needed him to go, he went out there and did. He started, he came out of the ‘pen, came in after an opener. He did whatever they asked him to do and he shined in every single moment.”
Bumgarner enjoyed a postseason for the ages in 2014, posting a 1.03 ERA and 0.65 WHIP with 45 strikeouts against six walks over 52.2 innings pitched. He seemingly got stronger in each round, earning MVP honors in both the National League Championship Series and World Series.
As Muncy noted, there are quite a few similarities between Bumgarner’s showing in 2014 and Urias’ performance this year. In addition to the similar statistics, the two were on the mound to record the final out of the World Series for their respective teams.
Urias’ role a topic of discussion within Dodgers
After a dominant postseason, the Dodgers are said to be deliberating whether to keep Urias in the bullpen next season or move him back into the starting rotation.
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