The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a critical juncture as health issues continue to plague their pitching staff. With the postseason looming, the Dodgers are grappling with a slew of injuries that could significantly impact their chances of securing a top seed in the National League.
Gavin Stone's Season in Doubt
Manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that right-hander Gavin Stone is "very unlikely" to make a return this season due to continued shoulder soreness. Stone has not pitched since August 31, leaving a notable gap in the rotation. The 24-year-old had a commendable season, making 25 starts and posting a 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+), accompanied by a 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Stone’s performance earned him an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman provided some insight into the situation. "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."
Other Injuries Compounding Issues
Adding to the Dodgers' woes, Tyler Glasnow is also dealing with injury problems, further affecting the team's pitching depth as the postseason approaches. The Dodgers are already missing several key contributors, including Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan.
The current rotation is a patchwork of talents trying to hold the line. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack form the backbone of the Dodgers' starting lineup, but the situation remains fluid. Bobby Miller was recently optioned to Triple-A after a rough outing against the Miami Marlins, where he allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings.
Standings and Seeding
As of Wednesday, the Dodgers held an 89-62 record, maintaining a 3 1/2 game edge in the National League West. They are also two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL’s second seed, while trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the top seed. With every game carrying substantial weight, the Dodgers find themselves in a precarious position where every win or loss can significantly influence their seeding and home-field advantage.
The Path Forward
Managing these pitching dilemmas will be critical for the Dodgers as they eye a deep postseason run. The rotation’s ability to stay effective amidst these injuries will be put to the test. Given the current circumstances, it’s inevitable that the Dodgers will lean heavily on their bullpen and remaining starters to fill the gaps left by their sidelined stars.
The Dodgers' resilience will be crucial in navigating these challenges, and how they manage their pitching staff in the coming weeks could determine their postseason success. Amid these uncertainties, one thing is clear: the road to the World Series will be a daunting one without a fully healthy rotation.