The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the verge of entering a critical phase where they know their pitching staff makes all the difference. In fact, it could be argued that it’s nearly impossible for a team to win the World Series-or even reach it-without a strong group of pitchers, something this Dave Roberts-led team seems to possess.
At least, that’s the opinion of the experts. Stephen J. Nesbitt and Chad Jennings of The Athletic believe the Dodgers‘ pitching staff looks like the best heading into the postseason.
Pitchers Could Lead the Dodgers to a Second Consecutive Championship
It’s no secret that the Dodgers, as is their custom, invested heavily in quality pitchers during the offseason to avoid the struggles they faced in the 2024 postseason. They brought in key players like former Cy Young winner Blake Snell and All-Star Tanner Scott. This has translated into strong results, with a solid starting rotation at just the right moment and a bullpen showing signs of improvement.
“The Dodgers spent this past offseason planning for exactly this moment: how to arrive at the outset of the postseason with enough arms to win the World Series,” the article reads. “The top-tier talent is still there, which is why Los Angeles topped Eno Sarris’ postseason rotation ranking. There’s former Cy Young winners Snell and Kershaw, young ace Yamamoto, and fellow hard-throwing righties Ohtani and Glasnow. All are capable of stifling a postseason lineup when healthy.”
The Dodgers‘ starting rotation has performed at an elite level, boasting a 3.27 ERA, the best in all of MLB. Moreover, since the start of September, they’ve improved to a 2.53 ERA, the second-best in MLB, trailing only the Cleveland Guardians.
Not everything is perfect, however. The issue arises when discussing the bullpen. The Dodgers have talented relievers like rookies Jack Dreyer, Alex Vesia, and Anthony Banda, but some veterans have struggled in September. Blake Treinen has suffered five losses in his last nine appearances this month, with a bloated 11.57 ERA. His teammate Tanner Scott hasn’t been sharp either, posting a 6.35 ERA. In contrast, only Jack Dreyer, Alex Vesia, Anthony Banda, and Will Klein have managed to keep their ERAs below 4.00 in September.
Despite these ups and downs, the Dodgers‘ bullpen-with the exception of Treinen-has shown signs of recovery. Scott has strung together four consecutive scoreless innings, and collectively, the relief corps allowed just two runs over four games before Sunday’s collapse in the final innings.
With the same offensive firepower that led them to the 2024 World Series title and a pitching staff that’s shining once again, the Dodgers are shaping up as serious contenders to win another championship ring in this postseason.
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