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The Los Angeles Dodgers have seen above average production from their starting pitchers this month, but it shouldn’t be a surprise that the rotation has been pushed more recently, at least not according to manager Dave Roberts.
As October looms the starters have certainly stepped up, led by Yoshinobu and his microscopic 0.86 ERA across his last 21 innings this month. Roberts noted that the increased workload is no coincidence at this point of the year.
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“We’re trying to win every game,” Roberts said. “I don’t want to revisit this, but the one guy that we’ve been very mindful of is Shohei as far as strict (innings limits). But everyone else, I think if you look at the second half, we push guys, and we’re in a pennant race. It’s not about their health. We need to win games.”
The notable Ohtani start was after he tossed five no-hit innings against the juggernaut Philadelphia Phillies, but was barred from going out for the sixth.
The very next inning, the Phillies put up six runs and would eventually win the game.
This wasn’t the first time that the bullpen soiled a notable start as Yamamoto was working on a no-hitter through 8.2 innings earlier this month against the Baltimore Orioles. After allowing a solo home run, the score was still 3-1 upon his exit. Blake Treinen allowed a double, hit a batter, threw a wild pitch, and walked the next two batters to make the score, 3-2.
All it took was three pitches from Tanner Scott until a bloop single brought in the final two runs.
As easy as it can be to go back to previous losses and find ways that the bullpen has faltered lately, the only thing for the Dodgers can do at this present moment is to continue what has worked in the past. Roberts knows that the starting pitching has been lethal this month and it makes sense that he will keep pushing his rotation with the end goal in sight.
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Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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