May 5th, 2022 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 * * *
“Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa.”
– Hall of Fame manager Casey Stengel
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As expected, the Dodgers are leading Major League Baseball’s National League West Division. That is what baseball experts predicted before spring training for the team that could start a lineup of nine All-Star caliber position players for any given game (Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Will Smith, Chris Taylor, Justin Turner, and Trea Turner).
Fans, journalists, and experts were justified in their enthusiasm for the offense but also realistic in questioning the quality and depth of the starting pitching. Aces Walker Buehler and Julio Urías are a formidable combination at the top of the rotation, but after them came concerns. Future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer left via free agency, pitching phenom Dustin May was still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Clayton Kershaw was a free agent after spending more than two months of the 2021 season on the IL with left forearm soreness, and troubled right-hander Trevor Bauer’s playing status remains at paid administrative leave status.
Re-signing a healthy Kershaw was a major boost for the Dodgers, who also signed veteran left-handed pitchers Tyler Anderson, Danny Duffy (currently on 60-day IL), and Andrew Heaney (currently on 10-day IL) to compete for starter roles with returning veterans Tony Gonsolin, David Price, and Mitchell White. Nonetheless, the rotation on paper was not as robust as the team had assembled for recent championship seasons.
Dodgers fans have long known that there is something special about the team’s ability to identify, acquire, and develop elite pitching staffs. The team’s legacy has not suffered from the retirement of pitching guru Rick Honeycutt following the 2019 season, as current pitching coach Mark Prior has added advanced techniques and acumen to the role.
2022 appears to be another year where pitching leads the way in the quest for another championship. Through the first 23 games of the season, the Dodgers’ 2.21 team ERA leads all of MLB, and the starting rotation is a minuscule 1.90. Certainly, those stats are reflective of a very small sample size, and offense throughout MLB has suffered from what appears to be MLB efforts to reduce home runs. Nevertheless, pitching once again is a Dodgers strength.
With the anticipated return of Heaney, Duffy, and eventually May, the team is well-positioned to maintain its pitching dominance throughout the season. In addition, highly regarded pitching prospect Ryan Pepiot is pounding on the door for his opportunity to join the starting rotation. The 24-year-old right-hander has a 1.66 ERA for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers through his first five starts this season while holding opposing hitters to a .182 batting average.
No doubt that pitching remains a Dodgers strength, and the offense has shown signs of also being dominant.
Another great year to be a Dodgers fan.
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Anderson has been a pleasant surprise, Heaney, well, isn’t.
great to Kersh healthy!
Goose has long held promise so it’s nice to see him shining.
last night, watching him wriggle though each inning was fun, (so was watching the Jints fans leave early). although his WHIP probably rose, he’s managing his pitch count well and getting key K’s when needed.
Yes indeed, Anderson has been terrific — seems to be guy who is OK with starting or relieving, whatever helps the team. I am enthused with Kershaw reinventing himself as a pitcher — he looks like he can pitch for another 3 to 5 years. Gonsolin is one of those pitchers who can drive me crazy — he has the talent to do well as long as he attacks hitters, but frequently gets in trouble trying to nibble around the edges of the strike zone. I am hoping for Duffy to return to full health — he can be a difference maker.
Jesse
Im thinking Bauer salary wont be paid resulting in a huge reduction in Payroll.
Can this be used to land another arm later in the year if needed.
Also Pepiot needs to get a shot if Haney doesnt pitch well or is done from injury.
I don’t see any difference making pitchers being available at the trade deadline. At least not anyone significantly better than what we already have. And certainly no one worth giving up good prospects for. I think we will have to run what we brung. If May comes back in July or August and is effective, it will be the equivalent of a deadline trade.
One guy comes to mind is montas but he will require prospects. But other guys if needed won’t be expensive like Greinke. It will come down to May and Haney. But you are pretty much right in your post. Reds might be unloading soon.
There will be a huge sellers market prior to trade deadline. With 12 teams qualifying for playoffs there will be a scramble for pitching and I don’t see Dodgers overpaying in prospects or salary. I think we could see the Dodgers “selling” on David Price to an AL team desperate for starting pitching. My hope — the Dodgers use the Bauer money plus expiring contracts like Price, Heaney, Anderson, Kimbrel to sign Trea Turner and negotiate extensions with Buehler and Urias.
Unless I am seriously mistaken, the Dodgers are on the hook for “the Bauer money … ALL of it.
Pretty certain Bauer suspended two years with no pay
According to MLB announcement. It was suspension without pay.
Agree with you Jesse. Money needed for Urias and Buehler.
With Pepiot and May and Consoling I think our pitching should be fine.