Dodgers Analysis: Dodgers Starting Rotation on Historic Run

LOS ANGELES, CA—The Los Angeles Dodgers are just two wins away from returning to the Fall Classic, and they have their starting rotation to thank this time around.

Last October, the Dodgers’ starting rotation was decimated by injuries. They lost right-hander Tyler Glasnow to an elbow issue in September, ending what was a career year for the newly acquired arm that offseason.

Veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw, who missed more than half the season recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, was shut down once October began due to a lingering toe injury.

And despite a late-season comeback attempt from right-handers Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, the Dodgers’ rotation was a shell of what the team had hoped entering the postseason.

Still, a staff of rookie right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, and postseason hero Walker Buheler was fine, but nowhere near the talent of other teams in the dance.

That forced Dodgers manager Dave Roberts‘ hand, where he had to navigate through the National League Division Series, National League Championship Series, and eventually the World Series with his bullpen at the forefront of the discussion.

Fast forward to this season, and it’s been a completely different story in October for the Dodgers’ starting rotation.

Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman made multiple moves in the offseason to fortify the rotation, including signing left-hander and two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to a multi-year contract.

The team also counted on second-year improvement from Yamamoto, who was the only pitcher to make thirty starts for Los Angeles this season, and hoped that Glasnow’s elbow injury would rectify itself by the following season.

Now, those bets and signings have paid off as the combination of Snell, Yamamoto, Ohtani, and Glasnow has been the storyline of the postseason.

Recall the golden age of baseball when starting pitchers often pitched deep into games or completed nine innings.

The Dodgers are reviving old-school style with a starting rotation that hasn’t been this dominant in the postseason since the 2005 Chicago White Sox.

After Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s three-hit complete game, the Dodgers’ starting rotation has allowed only four hits and a single run over seventeen innings in their two wins against the Brewers in the National League Championship Series.

It’s not just impressive; it’s a historic moment.

This is the first time in baseball history that a starting rotation has allowed four or fewer hits over at least seventeen innings in the first two postseason games. It surpasses the previous record held by the Chicago Cubs, who allowed five hits in Games 1 and 2 of the 1906 World Series against the White Sox, according to STATS Perform.

The Dodgers’ postseason rotation has a 1.54 ERA, the second-lowest in MLB history after eight games, only behind the 1983 Baltimore Orioles. Opponents are batting only .133, with 63 strikeouts over 52.2 innings.

The Dodgers were the first team to have two starting pitchers pitch at least eight innings in back-to-back playoff games within the same series since Madison Bumgarner and Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants did so in Games 4 and 5 of the 2010 World Series.

“I think if you look at the construction of our roster currently, the strength is starting pitching,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “And when you can have your most talented pitchers get the most outs, then you’re in a good spot.

“Right now, all four of those guys are in a really good headspace. Physically, they’re sound. And you feel good about those guys starting a game and pushing them. They’re prepared for this.”

Now, holding a strong 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven matchup, the Dodgers have three days to secure two wins at Chavez Ravine in front of their fans. Tyler Glasnow, with a 0.00 ERA this postseason, will start Game Three, followed by Shohei Ohtani in Game Four, aiming for his second victory after pitching six innings at Citizens Bank Park in NLDS Game One.

Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!