The Los Angeles Dodgers are struggling with a late-season collapse.카지노사이트 The immediate concern is whether they can hold their own against the National League’s top teams in the postseason.
The Dodgers suffered a crushing 4-11 loss to the Miami Marlins on Sunday at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida. It was the second straight day the Dodgers took a knee after losing 3-6 the day before. They are now 1-5 in their last six games.
Starting pitcher Lance Lin suffered an early setback. Lynn took the loss in one of his worst outings of the season, giving up eight runs on seven hits, including three home runs, and three walks in 4⅔ innings. He fell to 10-11 on the season with a 6.09 ERA.
Since joining the Dodgers via trade from the Chicago White Sox on July 29, he is 4-2 with a 4.95 ERA in seven starts. Lynn pitched well early on after joining the Dodgers. From Aug. 2 against the Oakland Athletics to Aug. 26 against the Boston Red Sox, he pitched five consecutive games of five or more innings and three or fewer earned runs.
However, he had a rough outing against the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 1, giving up seven runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings. He’s also been up and down for the White Sox this season, posting a 6.47 ERA.
In recent years, the Dodgers rotation has been Julio Urias, Emmitt Sheehan, Bobby Miller, Clayton Kershaw, and Lynn. It’s safe to say that only Miller, a rookie fireballer, and Kershaw, a veteran, are worthy of postseason consideration. Even Kershaw has been struggling lately.
Julio Urias has been placed on administrative leave by MLB and will miss an extended period of time. USATODAYYahoo!
Bobby Miller is considered the Dodgers’ next ace. AFPYonhap
Urias is on administrative leave because he is being investigated for domestic violence, and 23-year-old right-hander Sheehan, a rookie pitcher who made his debut this year, is the interim starter. This is the second straight game in which Lin has collapsed.
The Dodgers have virtually clinched first place in the NL West. They will bypass the Wild Card Series and go straight to the Division Series, and the question is who will start in the best-of-five series. Tommy John surgery recipient Walker Buehler made a minor league start on the 4th, but it’s hard to trust a pitcher who’s been rehabbing for over a year with a big game.
The problem is the rotation after next year. Kershaw will likely have to contemplate retirement again. “If I’m on the mound next year, that means I’m healthy,” Kershaw told the Orange County Register in the first half. If I’m not healthy, I’m going to go home to my family.” Kershaw has been on the disabled list once or twice a year, and he feels limited in his ability to continue his career.
Clayton Kershaw is reportedly seriously considering retirement after this season. AP
Tony Gonsalves, whose season ended on May 19 against the Miami Marlins, recently received a Tommy John surgery and will miss all of next season. Urias is likely to receive a hefty suspension from MLB for his role in the incident. Lynn has an $18 million team option for next year, and it’s unlikely the Dodgers will exercise it.
At the end of the day, Buehler and Miller are the only pitchers who are guaranteed starting spots next year.
This is why the Dodgers are going to have a very busy offseason. It’s no secret that their first target in free agency will be Shohei Ohtani. However, Ohtani tore his elbow ligaments and is unlikely to take the mound next season. According to a recent interview with his agent, Nez Valero, elbow surgery is inevitable, even if it’s not Tommy John surgery.
They need a fourth or fifth starter, not just an ace. The group of prospects growing up in the farm system has been unstable lately. Eventually, they will have to look beyond Ohtani in free agency. Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Jordan Montgomery, Sonny Gray, Eduardo Rodriguez, Marcus Stroman, and Lucas Giolito are the top-tier starters. Rodriguez and Stroman have opt-out clauses.
That could include the Toronto Blue Jays’ Hyun-jin Ryu. Ryu gave up two runs on four hits in five innings in Oakland on Sunday. In seven games since returning from the Tommy John surgery, he’s 3-2 with a 2.65 ERA and a .219 batting average. The lack of innings hasn’t hurt him, but the quality of his pitches is right where it was in his prime. If he finishes the season at this pace, Ryu will likely be in high demand in free agency. There’s nothing stopping the Dodgers from making an offer. In the past, Chan Ho Park and Hideo Nomo, who started with the Dodgers and rose to prominence, left the organization and returned a few years before retirement.