Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been one of the true surprises of the young season. Everybody knew that this lineup was going to bash, and they’ve done just that, but I don’t think any expected such a consistently excellent level of performance from the Dodgers’ arms, both starters and bullpen.
Right now, the rotation is leading all of baseball with a 2.48 ERA, and that’s with injuries to both Clayton Kershaw and Andrew Heaney. Similarly, the 3.06 bullpen ERA is good enough for third in the game, and best in the NL. However, good as the pitching has been, there are ample warning clouds on the horizon should we get too complacent. On this last day in May, let’s look at what we like, and what is a cause for concern going forward:
Ovations…
- Clearly, the biggest and most pleasant surprise of this season has been the performance of Tony Gonsolin and Tyler Anderson, two guys who were thought of as back of the rotation options going into the season. Both of these guys have been lights out in nearly every start (Gonsolin has a microscopic 1.80 ERA). If this keeps up through summer, the Dodgers are going to be in very good shape.
- Julio Urias has been a little inconsistent, but seems to be trending in the right direction.
- Yency Almonte has only thrown 10 innings, but wow, he’s been good.
- Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia continue to build on their strong finishes to 2021.
- Daniel Hudson has had a hiccup or two, but otherwise has been solid so far.
- Positive signs from Ryan Pepiot and Michael Grove as they both taste the big leagues for the first time.
Frustrations…
- The biggest frustration not named Kimbrel is the injury bug. Three of the team’s best arms (Kershaw, Heaney, and Treinen) on the the IL, and it’s not clear when any of them will be returning to active status. This is especially frustrating in the case of Kershaw and Heaney given their dynamite starts in the first few weeks of the season. Mark Prior and Dave Roberts are papering over the absence of these players pretty well so far, but I don’t see how they make a deep run without at least two of these guys active and contributing.
- Walker Buehler. What in the world is going on with our ace this season? He’s been great at times, but at others, he’s looked very pedestrian. His 1.24 WHIP is something we’re not used to seeing either. Something’s going on there and I don’t quite know what.
- I feel like Phil Bickford (now at OKC) has been a bit of a disappointment this year after a solid 2021. Hope he can fix what’s wrong and get back to the old Phil.
- Brusdar Graterol has had some bad luck, but he needs to work on his command if he’s going to take the next step in his career.
- Of course, the elephant in the room is Kenley Jansen‘s replacement, Craig Kimbrel. He just has not been sharp in his role as the new Dodger closer. Too many walks, too many deep counts, not enough wipeout stuff. His ERA in the month of May is a rather ugly 6.30. And the only reason he’d been able to convert so many saves (9 of 10) is that the Dodgers had a two or three run lead going into the ninth inning. This just ain’t gonna fly the rest of the way. And, sadly for a month or two more, Dave Roberts doesn’t have the option of going with Blake Treinen right now. It’s not great. Maybe Hudson, Vesia, and Graterol can get more high leverage outings until Kimbrel fixes himself. Cuz that boy needs fixin’.
Conclusions…
I feel good about this pitching staff, but I wish I felt a whole lot better. There are too many underlying warning signs that might signify trouble once the grind of the season starts to take its toll. I don’t think there is any need to panic. But if I were Andrew Freidman, I’d be looking at what’s out there, and start considering adding a major piece before the summer is over.
