The Los Angeles Dodgers are carving out a place in postseason history with a run of starting pitching dominance that’s almost unprecedented. The Dodgers have a 3-0 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS and are looking unbeatable.
Their starting rotation has allowed just 10 earned runs across 58.1 innings this postseason – a performance that has stunned opponents, thrilled fans, and placed the team on the cusp of the World Series.
In fact, the only National League rotation with a lower postseason ERA across a minimum of 50 innings came from the 1918 Chicago Cubs, who posted an astonishing 1.08 mark led by the legendary Hippo Vaughn.
That’s the kind of company the Dodgers now keep, underlining how special their current form truly is.
Their starters have also made history by becoming the first team in postseason play to allow one run or fewer and four hits or fewer in four consecutive games.
That streak not only highlights how effective their starting rotation has been, but also the suffocating control they’re exerting on opposing lineups.
Why this Dodgers rotation feels different
Postseason pitching has always been a balance between dominant starters and strategic bullpen usage. In recent years, many teams leaned heavily on “openers” and matchup-based pitching.
But for the Dodgers, none of that seems to matter right now. Their starting rotation is so sharp, so consistent, that they’re controlling games from the first pitch through the middle innings with remarkable efficiency.
This is not just about limiting runs, it’s about neutralizing the opposition completely. Hitters are struggling to find any rhythm against a staff that has combined pinpoint command with elite velocity and devastating off-speed stuff.
This combination has allowed Los Angeles to build early leads, keep bullpens fresh, and pressure opponents into mistakes.
Their dominance is reflected not just in ERA, but in how few base runners they’ve allowed. Across their recent four-game stretch, they’ve allowed four hits or fewer each time – a level of precision rarely sustained over multiple playoff games.
Of course, dominant pitching is only one piece of the story. The Dodgers lineup has been punishing at the plate as well. As X user wrote: “Can talk about openers vs. starters, but nothing matters when the team hits like this. Dodgers are up 3-0.”
That balance between unstoppable offense and airtight starting pitching is why this team looks so difficult to beat.
A chance to rewrite history
The postseason is filled with unpredictable swings, but when a rotation performs like this, it often leads to something historic.
If the Dodgers maintain this level of dominance, their place in MLB lore could rival teams like the 1918 Cubs and other great October rotations.
The numbers speak for themselves. Ten earned runs in 58.1 innings. Four straight games with one or fewer runs allowed. Four or fewer hits surrendered each time. It’s the kind of stretch that makes opponents doubt themselves before they even step into the box.
For fans of the Dodgers, this run has the unmistakable feeling of something special. A rotation this dominant doesn’t come around often – and when it does, it usually ends with a parade.
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