As the regular season nears its conclusion, the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves contending with a cascade of injuries affecting their pitching staff. Manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that right-hander Gavin Stone is "very unlikely" to return this season due to ongoing shoulder soreness. This comes as a significant blow, considering Stone has not pitched since August 31.
Stone's absence will surely be felt. Over 25 starts before being deactivated, he posted a 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+) and had an impressive 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His contributions earned him an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), making his sidelining a notable loss for the team's pitching arsenal.
Postseason Pitching Depth Hindered by Injuries
The injury woes extend beyond Stone. Tyler Glasnow is also dealing with physical setbacks, complicating the Dodgers' pitching depth as they gear up for the postseason. Compounding these issues is the absence of key contributors such as Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan. The Dodgers' ability to maintain their competitive edge will hinge on how effectively they manage these losses.
Adjusting the Rotation
In light of these injuries, the current Dodgers rotation features Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. This revised lineup will need to carry the bulk of the load as the team navigates through the remaining fixtures of the regular season and prepares for the playoffs.
In a recent move, Bobby Miller was optioned to Triple-A after a shaky performance against the Miami Marlins, where he allowed four runs on seven hits over just two innings. This decision underscores the volatility and uncertainty surrounding the Dodgers' pitching staff.
Dodgers’ Standings and Implications
Despite these challenges, the Dodgers hold an 89-62 record as of Wednesday. They possess a 3 1/2 game lead in the National League West and are two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed. However, they trail the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the top seed.
Every win or loss from this point forward will significantly impact the Dodgers' seeding and home-field advantage, making the management of their pitching quandaries even more critical. President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman acknowledges the uncertainty but remains hopeful about the team's efforts. "I'm not sure," Friedman told MLB.com. "I'm optimistic he is going to do everything he possibly can. There's just so much unknown around it that we're going to do all we can to dominate each day, and hopefully, when he starts throwing, he can ramp up from there. It's just hard to speculate right now."
The coming weeks will be a true test of the Dodgers' resilience and capacity to adapt. The team's ability to strategically maneuver through these injuries and manage their pitching staff will be pivotal as they aim to secure favorable positioning for the postseason. For Dodgers fans and players alike, the stakes couldn't be higher. The performance of the current rotation and any adjustments will be closely scrutinized, serving as a barometer for the team's playoff prospects.