Cody Snavely
(Bobby Miller vs. Braves on Sunday 7IP, 1BB, 5K, 1ER)
If there is one thing to take away from the Dodger’s four-game weekend series against the MLB-best Atlanta Braves, the Dodger’s rotation come October will be a problem and not in a good way. This series saw two potential Postseason starters that the Dodgers would need to lean on crash against a powerful Braves line-up, with Lance Lynn and Julio Urías taking the loss, giving up more than five runs each. While it seems likely that Kershaw, who has been LA’s best pitcher this season, will get the start in any game one of a potential playoff series, I believe it should be Dodgers rookie Bobby Miller.
Miller’s pitching style is perfect for the Postseason.
Since he was drafted, the Dodgers and their scouts were impressed with Miller’s stuff coming out of college, having a plus fastball that could touch one hundred miles per hour with ease while also having an excellent five-pitch mix that I have covered extensively here at DodgersBeat and the Bleed Los Podcast. Miller has only improved since 2020, even though his minor league career numbers would not show it. Since his call-up against the mighty Braves in May, Miller has shown that he is ready and here to stay in the big leagues. However, in terms of postseason ball, Miller’s pitching style is needed in those big games.
Regarding his explosive stuff, Miller relies heavily on the Fastball and Sinker, which averages 99.1 and 98.0 MPH. When the dog days of summer are over and October comes around, it is a war of attrition, and fastballs coming at you over 100 MPH are no fun to anyone. However, Miller’s off-speed stuff, which has improved mightily over the year, will be a problem with hitters. His curveball and change-up each have a whiff rate of over 35%, and when you can locate the fastball and sinker, the off-speed becomes a great putaway pitch.
Miller is going deeper into games.
Miller has been improving on having better command that will keep him in the game longer. The Dodgers and Manager Dave Roberts have also been pushing Miller to go deeper into games despite talks of trying to limit his workload before October. Miller has gone six innings eight times in 2023 and has gone at least five innings in all but two of his starts. When October rolls around, and how the bullpen is constructed with long inning relievers Ryan Pepiot and Ryan Yarbrough, you only need Miller to give you 5-6 strong innings of quality baseball. Besides Kershaw, the other options this year have not shown they can provide quality starts, with Julio and Lynn struggling this year. In October, getting ahead in game one or two is a big deal, and Kershaw and Miller have the best chance to do that.
Potential concerns?
Bobby Miller has shown this year that he deserves to be in the rotation come October, and if he is to start game one or two, I have two concerns. One is that he is a rookie, and with him getting close to his career highs in innings, I am not sure what to expect when the postseason rolls around. However, after how he started against the Braves today, it does not look like he is slowing down. However, with any rookie pitcher, there is always a concern with how they will react to the postseason pressure. My second concern is while Miller has shown elite stuff, his biggest problem seems to be pitching in the stretch. While most pitchers struggle with runners, it has been a common theme. Miller himself has admitted that he would like to improve as it seems he is more vulnerable with runners on.
If the Dodgers are to go on a run this October, the pitching will have to step up in the process; however, Miller should take charge of the opportunity given to him and provide quality starts with electric stuff. For him to start game one or two, it will take a locked in September, and it looks like he is on that path.
