Roger Arrieta
Since the statement signing of Freddie Freeman, the sentiment around the Dodgers lineup is that it’s one of the best lineups in MLB history. Murderers Row 2.0 if you will. The same has not been said of the starting rotation. There have been questions surrounding the Dodgers staff and if it has enough depth to really make this the greatest team of all time.
To those questions I say, absolutely. Let’s take a trip down memory lane, to 2021.
Walker Buehler in 2021: 207.2 IP 16-4 2.47 ERA 212/52 K/BB 0.968 WHIP All Star, 4th in Cy Young voting
Julio Urias: 185.2 IP 20-3 2.96 ERA 195/38 K/BB 1.018 WHIP, league leader in wins, 7th in Cy Young voting
Clayton Kershaw: 121.2 IP 10-8 3.55 ERA 144/21 K/BB 1.019 WHIP
Even with an injury riddled Kershaw, that’s a front three that 90% of the league would’ve killed to have.
Dustin May missed the majority of the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but when he was healthy, he was emerging as a superstar. In 23 innings he had a 2.74 ERA, 35/6 K/BB, and a 0.957 WHIP. Cy Young level stuff.
May was spotted throwing in the bullpen at Dodger stadium, and is slated for a return at some point this summer. But enough looking into the past. How is the present working out?
Clayton Kershaw put on a masterpiece in Minnesota, and Buehler and Urias have had their struggles, but have ultimately been solid. It’s the back end of the rotation that has been so surprising.
The Dodgers have a combo of Tony Gonsolin and Tyler Anderson pretty much locked in as the #4 in the rotation. They’ve looked good so far, most recently combining for 8 innings, one earned run, and 6 strikeouts in a 3-1 win over the Reds.
Andrew Heaney has been a revelation through two starts. In Minnesota he hurled 4.1 scoreless, and yesterday against Cincinnati he tossed 6 more scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts. Despite the success, people will tell you “he’s due to blow up” or “this won’t last long.” Who are we to doubt Andrew Friedman in resurging someone’s career. Just ask Max Muncy, Justin Turner, and Chris Taylor, to name a few.
Let’s not forget the slew of young arms itching for a chance to burst onto the scene. Despite an underwhelming spring, Ryan Pepiot has been carving up the minor leagues, and very well could earn an opportunity in the bigs this season.
Bobby Miller made waves on Twitter during Spring Training when he fanned reigning AL MVP, and the modern day Babe Ruth, Shohei Ohtani with a 100 MPH fastball at the knees. He ended up going 3 scoreless with 2 Ks, and could be another young arm we see get a chance in the bigs earlier than anticipated.
When a team is as loaded as the Dodgers are, there has to be a negative narrative to nitpick at. For these Dodgers, it’s the starting pitching. While I may think it’s somewhat unwarranted, I may be talking to a wall with this argument. Be that as it may, I’m more than okay with using Heaney, Anderson, and Gonsolin to piggyback off of each other. And I don’t see the harm in letting some kids play, who could maybe make a huge difference down the stretch.
