Cody Snavely
In the 2023 season, the Dodgers were predicted by many to take a considerable step back compared to 2022. That is not a bold statement for the average MLB fan or analyst, considering the Dodgers lost Cody Bellinger, Trea Turner, and Tyler Anderson, to name a few. However, what was considered by many to be a strength this season was their starting rotation and pitching depth in the bullpen and with Kershaw, Urias, Gonsolin, and May being the no-brainers that would hold down the rotation and the signing of Noah Syndergaard and the likely call-ups of Gavin Stone, Bobby Miller, and Ryan Pepiot LA’s rotation looked as good as anyone.
However, as we all know, in baseball and life in general, life never goes according to plan, and that metaphor has undoubtedly happened to the Dodgers, who rank 22nd in the MLB in team ERA. As we enter the month of June, the Dodgers are missing Dustin May, who will miss a few months (forearm strain), Julio Urias (hamstring), and Clayton Kershaw, who has started the year strong has since cooled off a bit as he has been roughed up his last three starts. Then there is the elephant in the room with Noah Syndergaard, who is currently 1-4 with an ERA north of six. The Dodgers, unfortunately, have to keep running Syndergaard out there until the rotation gets more stable health-wise. This situation has led Andrew Friedman to go to Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone earlier than we anticipated in May, and so far, Miller has delivered on every task the Dodgers have asked from him.
Gavin Stone has gotten off to a shaky start to his Major League career, getting lit up by the Phillies, Braves, and Rays, which is a challenging task to live up to, but he has now been sent down to the minors. On the other hand, Bobby Miller has been lights out in his two starts so far, getting his first win against the Braves, tossing five innings of one-run ball, and giving the Dodgers bullpen a much-needed breather. Miller would continue this dominance in his next start against the Nationals, going six innings with only one earned run again. Miller’s biggest test will be when writing this article, as he would face the Yankees on Sunday Night Baseball. (Which he went 6 innings only allowing one hit in his best major league start to date)
Bobby Miller is bringing stability to this rotation and the emotion and energy that this team has surely missed since they lost Walker Buehler last year. The comparisons between the two are noticeable as they are both flamethrowing RHP, both making their debuts early in the season at a time when LA’s depth was being questioned, but both stepped up at the moment to help their team win. In Walker’s case, we all know how his call-up helped the team move forward as he helped the Dodgers throughout the season, especially in the Postseason and World Series.
While it is only June, and Bobby Miller hasn’t even made five starts yet, I don’t believe Miller will return to OKC anytime soon, as he will become a cornerstone in this Dodgers rotation. With Julio on track to return this weekend against Philadelphia, the rotation looks like Kershaw, Gonsolin, Urias, Miller, and Michael Grove/Noah Syndergaard.
