The Los Angeles Dodgers are grappling with a series of injuries that have significantly impacted their pitching rotation as the postseason approaches. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed a major blow to the roster: right-hander Gavin Stone is "very unlikely" to return this season due to ongoing shoulder soreness. Stone has been sidelined since August 31 and, before his deactivation, made 25 starts, boasting a respectable 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+) and a 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His contributions were notable, earning an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
Stone’s absence isn't the only challenge the Dodgers face. Tyler Glasnow is also dealing with injury issues, further affecting the team's postseason pitching depth. In addition to Stone and Glasnow, the Dodgers are without key contributors like Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan. This myriad of injuries places immense pressure on the available pitchers and complicates the team's route through the playoffs.
The current Dodgers rotation consists of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. Bobby Miller, who was optioned to Triple-A after a struggling performance against the Miami Marlins, further exemplifies the shaky state of LA’s pitching staff. In that outing, Miller allowed four runs on seven hits over just two innings, showcasing the instability the team has to manage in their quest for postseason success.
Despite these hurdles, the Dodgers have maintained a strong regular-season performance, holding an 89-62 record as of Wednesday. They lead the National League West by 3 1/2 games and are two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed. Crucially, they trail the Philadelphia Phillies by only two games for the top seed—a position that offers the coveted home-field advantage.
Managing these pitching dilemmas will be critical for the Dodgers. With every game potentially altering seeding and home-field advantage, there’s no room for further missteps. Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman elaborated on the team's cautious optimism regarding their injured players, particularly Gavin Stone. "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."
Friedman's comments reflect the uncertainty that has plagued the Dodgers as they prepare for the playoffs. With key pitchers sidelined and the rotation's consistency in question, every decision made by Roberts and his staff will be under intense scrutiny. As they juggle the available arms, finding a balance between stretching their rotation and preserving their bullpen will be paramount.
The Dodgers’ ability to navigate these challenges could define their postseason run. Maintaining a competitive edge while dealing with a compromised rotation is no small feat, but the resilience of their other players and strategic acumen of the coaching staff will be crucial factors. Each victory or loss henceforth is laden with significance, carrying potential implications for playoff seeding and the all-important home-field advantage.