To say that the Dodgers have three great starters in their rotation is an understatement. In fact, they have three starters with 10 or more wins. Where things get dicey for the Dodgers is with their number four and number five starters who have a combined 14-14 record and an atrocious 1-9 record in their combined last five starts. While Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-jin Ryu are the staple of the rotation, Josh Beckett and even more so Dan Haren are the proverbial thorn in the side of the Dodgers rotation.

Haren hasn’t been just a little bad of late, he has be absolutely horrible.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Although the Dodgers will only need four starters for the postseason, at the moment, they do not have a decent fourth starter on their roster. If the playoffs began today and with who they have on their current roster that number four starter would probably be right-hander Josh Beckett – this in spite of his current 6-5 record heading into today’s series finale against the Cubs. And even though Beckett has a very good season ERA of 2.74, he is 1-4 in his last five starts with an ERA of 4.68. In those five starts Beckett has gone more than five innings only once.

When Josh Beckett is good he is very very good, but he hasn’t been good since his hip has began bothering him shortly after his no-hitter on May 25.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

With the non-waiver trade deadline now past, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti will have to acquire a potential replacement for Beckett and Haren via the waiver trade deadline on August 31. And with the cream of the crop starting pitchers now off the market, the pickings are rather slim for good starting pitchers. While Colletti’s decision to hold on to all three of his top prospects was widely applauded by most Dodger fans, it could have a profound effect on the Dodgers postseason rotation.

Although 41 years old, former Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon could prove to be the perfect number four starter for the Dodgers heading into the stretch run and postseason. Colon is 10-8 with a 3.88 ERA on the season with the Mets.
(AP photo)

Although the Dodgers have all but given up on Dan Haren as an effective starter, they still have hope and confidence in Josh Beckett – this in spite of Beckett’s hip impingement that is clearly affecting his performance on the mound. And while Beckett’s courage in gutting it out and pitching through the pain is very noble, it is also very risky for a team that has but a mere 3.5-game lead in their division.

Needless to say, Beckett’s outing today will undoubtedly have a major impact on Colletti’s decisions going forward. But one thing is certain – Colletti better not stand pat if Beckett struggles again today. If he does, his inaction could cost the Dodgers a playoff berth, let alone a World Championship.