Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has signaled strong confidence in his pitching staff ahead of the 2026 season, suggesting that one of their star names will be in contention for the National League Cy Young award.
With a rotation featuring elite talent, Roberts is already looking at how the team’s pitchers can maximize performance while staying healthy throughout the long MLB campaign.
The Dodgers rotation is anchored by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani, a group Roberts describes as the best starting staff in baseball.
He emphasized that their diverse skill sets give the team a unique advantage, and tipped Yamamoto to challenge Ohtani for the award.
“I think so… but I think Yamamoto is going to have something to say about it too,” Roberts said, highlighting the competition and talent among his starters.
World Baseball Classic throws spanner in works
During the playoffs, the Dodgers relied heavily on their starters, requiring them to pitch deep into games while protecting a bullpen that has been stretched thin.
For 2026, Roberts plans to manage workloads carefully, especially with key pitchers participating in the World Baseball Classic.
In the offseason, the Dodgers will see both Yamamoto and Ohtani join Team Japan, along with rising ace Roki Saskai.
On their expected departure, Roberts said he hoped the duo would be able to get some downtime: “We’ll support them. But I do think that pitching, it’s a lot on the body, the arm, (and) the rest would be beneficial for next year for our season,” he said.
The international commitments of Yamamoto and Ohtani may limit their innings early in the season, but Roberts is confident their overall performance will make them top candidates for the league’s most prestigious pitching honor.
He emphasized the importance for individual players to represent their nations: “We understand how important the WBC is for these individual players and for the country of Japan,” he added.
Dodgers’ depth helps soften the blow
Beyond workload management, Roberts praised the overall depth of his rotation. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow provide additional firepower, ensuring that the Dodgers can remain competitive even if their international stars have limited availability.
Entering 2026, the Dodgers will combine elite starting pitching with a strong offensive lineup, giving the team one of the league’s most complete rosters.
Roberts‘s approach balances performance, player health, and international commitments, positioning the Dodgers to compete at the highest level while showcasing the talents of their top pitchers.
Roberts‘s prediction sets the stage for an exciting 2026 season in Los Angeles.
With Yamamoto, Ohtani, and Saskai leading the rotation, the Dodgers are poised to make a serious push for both the postseason and individual accolades, cementing their reputation as a team with unparalleled pitching depth.
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