The Los Angeles Dodgers are undoubtedly equipped with one of the most imposing starting rotations in the Major Leagues.
Ahead of the trade deadline in early August, they further boosted it by acquiring southpaw Tarik Skubal.
With the postseason approaching, an MLB insider has revealed his thoughts on a potential starting rotation for the Dodgers once the regular season wraps up.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Postseason Rotation Predicted by Insider Tom Verducci
GettyMLB sportswriter placed Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani fourth in the rotation in his postseason prediction
On Saturday, MLB Network posted a video (via X) of celebrated sportswriter Tom Verducci laying out a possible starting rotation for Los Angeles ahead of the postseason.
“You can’t go wrong either way, but I’d probably think about starting a seven-game series. I’d start with Tarik Skubal; I’d go Yamamoto second, only because he would get the two off days between two and three, and five and six,” said Verducci. “After that, I’d probably, splitting up the lefties, I’d go Blake Snell, because I’d love Shohei Ohtani to pitch three, but then I don’t know if I’d have him for seven. So if I only have him for one start, I’d have him pitch game four. He’s my Game 4 starter.”
“I think you throw the names in a hat…” 🤣
Bottom line, the Dodgers have an incredibly deep rotation. Regardless of how the franchise sets things up, they are certainly in the running to clinch a third consecutive ring this year.
Sure, Verducci’s starting rotation is all hypothetical, but there is certainly some substance to his ordering.
Skubal, 29, was one of the latest additions to their starting rotation. At this point in the season, he owns a 2.85 ERA and 135 strikeouts across 113.2 innings through 19 starts. He’s walked 20 batters along the way.
However, his record since landing in Los Angeles sits at 0-2, while his record with the Detroit Tigers earlier this year was 7-5.
Looking at Where the Dodgers Stand Right Now
GettyThe Los Angeles Dodgers are in the midst of a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Currently second in the Major League standings at 78-51 overall, Los Angeles is just behind the Milwaukee Brewers (80-49).
In the National League West, the Dodgers lead by a large margin, followed by the San Diego Padres (69-60), the Arizona Diamondbacks (68-61), the San Francisco Giants (52-76) and the Colorado Rockies (50-78).
According to FanGraphs’ MLB Playoff Odds, as of Aug. 22, Los Angeles has a 99.8% chance of winning ther division and a 23.8% chance of winning the World Series once again.
The Dodgers are now riding a four-game winning streak after their latest 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in their series opener on Aug. 21.
On Aug. 22, at 7:15 p.m. ET, they will enter their second clash, with their third scheduled for Aug. 23, at 4:10 p.m. ET.
Once this stretch wraps up, Los Angeles will face the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park for a three-game series.
While there’s still plenty of time for things to take a left turn, the Dodgers have been dominating for yet another campaign. It’s unlikely they’d lose much momentum at this point.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Postseason Prediction Reveals Unexpected Starting Rotation