The Los Angeles Dodgers have built a reputation as one of baseball’s elite pitching franchises, particularly over the past decade. In that span, their rotation and bullpen have produced some of the most notable moments in recent Major League Baseball history. The period from 2015 through 2025 featured a blend of veteran mastery, breakout performances by emerging stars, and pivotal postseason contributions. As the club competed for division titles and deep playoff runs, its pitching staff played a central role in regular-season and October narratives. The following six performances exemplify the standard and diversity of the Dodgers’ pitching excellence in the last ten years.
While the league has been defined by greater offensive output and evolving strategies, Dodgers pitchers managed to deliver results that often set them apart statistically. The team consistently ranked among the National League leaders in ERA, WHIP, and strikeout totals. These efforts showcased not just star aces, but reliable depth across the roster.
According to a new report by Zamsino.Casino, the highlighted games below give a window into the pitching identity that helped define Los Angeles baseball for a generation of fans.
Combined No-Hitter in Monterrey (May 4, 2018)
A unique moment unfolded in Monterrey, Mexico, during a game against the San Diego Padres 2018. Walker Buehler started the contest and contributed six hitless innings, striking out eight and setting the tone for the bullpen. Tony Cingrani, Yimi García, and Adam Liberatore closed out the final three innings, completing the first combined no-hitter in Dodgers history. The quartet only allowed three men to reach base, all via walks, and collectively struck out 13 Padres hitters while never permitting a runner to reach scoring position.
This performance illustrated the franchise’s increasing reliance on a collaborative pitching strategy. While Buehler’s dominance launched the effort, the execution of all four pitchers reinforced the value of bullpen depth and adaptability in the modern game.
Walker Buehler’s 16-Strikeout Complete Game (June 21, 2019)
Walker Buehler established his ace reputation with a commanding showing against the Rockies in June 2019. Tossing a complete game, Buehler struck out 16 and did not issue a single walk. Allowing only five hits, he demonstrated remarkable control and velocity, with 80 of his 111 pitches going for strikes. His mix of high-90s fastballs and sharp breaking balls generated 25 swinging strikes, giving him the highest game score by a Dodgers starter that season.
Buehler’s 2019 campaign built on a postseason breakout the previous year, and this outing was a clear statement among a deep rotation. The Rockies’ lineup managed few quality at-bats, and Buehler joined rare company with one of the highest single-game strikeout marks in franchise history.
Julio Urías’ NLCS Game 7 Relief Appearance (October 18, 2020)
High-leverage moments reveal the fortitude of a pitching staff, and Julio Urías delivered one of the era’s signature relief stints in the 2020 National League Championship Series deciding game. With a slim lead and a World Series berth at stake, Urías entered in the seventh inning and methodically dispatched all seven Braves he faced. He did not allow a baserunner, struck out two, and finished the game by retiring the heart of Atlanta’s order.
In a postseason where bullpens often decided outcomes, Urías showed both poise and command. His ability to neutralize hitters with a devastating curveball and a well-placed fastball made him an essential part of that championship roster. The outing remains one of modern playoff memory’s most pivotal relief appearances.
Rich Hill’s One-Hit, Ten-Strikeout Outing (September 17, 2017)
In a contest with postseason seeding on the line, veteran left-hander Rich Hill dominated the Washington Nationals over seven shutout innings. He allowed just one hit and struck out ten, relying heavily on his trademark curveball and changing speeds deftly. Hill’s approach kept one of the league’s most disciplined lineups off balance, and he regularly worked ahead in the count to maintain pressure.
Even at 37, Hill remained durable in a rotation built on youth and experience. His outing exemplified the Dodgers’ knack for extracting value from veteran arms, and he consistently outperformed expectations during his tenure in Los Angeles.
Hyun-Jin Ryu’s One-Hit Shutout (May 7, 2019)
Hyun-Jin Ryu submitted one of the decade’s most efficient pitching performances with a complete-game shutout of the Atlanta Braves. Ryu required just 93 pitches, struck out six, and did not issue a walk, facing one batter more than the minimum. His precision and ability to manage contact resulted in a minuscule 0.78 WHIP for the season’s first half, numbers that later placed him as a Cy Young runner-up.
Throughout the shutout, Ryu mixed four pitches — fastball, cutter, curve, and changeup — and induced a steady stream of weak ground and fly balls. The performance stood out in an era increasingly defined by power arms and strikeouts, highlighting the value of adaptability and command.
Honorable Addition: Kershaw’s 3,000th Strikeout
As the decade neared, Clayton Kershaw reached a milestone few in baseball history have achieved. By striking out Vinny Capra of the White Sox for the final out of the sixth inning on July 2, 2025, Kershaw recorded his 3,000th career strikeout. He became just the 20th pitcher in MLB history — and only the fourth left-hander — to join the club. Kershaw reached the mark in his 18th season, all with the Dodgers, joining just two others who spent their entire career and reached 3,000 with one franchise.
The moment ended with a lengthy standing ovation from more than 53,000 fans at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw doffed his cap and paused before accepting congratulations from teammates. Although he did not factor into the decision that night, the milestone encapsulated his longevity and lasting significance to the franchise. His career 2.52 ERA remains the lowest among pitchers with at least 1,500 innings in the live-ball era, and his consistency across nearly two decades helped anchor the Dodgers through eras of change.
Ongoing Excellence and Evolving Standards
The past decade of Dodgers pitching has featured a mixture of tradition and innovation, elite starters and collaborative efforts. Each highlighted outing showcases individual mastery and adaptability required in a changing game. As emerging arms develop and established figures reach remarkable milestones, the Dodgers remain positioned at the center of the conversation about pitching excellence. Whether future seasons bring more milestones or new names, these performances continue to shape the franchise’s enduring legacy on the mound.
