The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently navigating a tough landscape as the postseason looms, largely due to a spate of injuries that have hit their pitching staff hard. Manager Dave Roberts and the rest of the Dodgers' management face some crucial decisions to make as they aim to secure an advantageous spot in the playoffs.
Among the most significant setbacks is the status of Gavin Stone. The right-hander appears "very unlikely" to return this season, according to Roberts, due to ongoing shoulder soreness. Stone has not pitched since August 31, and his absence is felt across the board. Before his deactivation, Stone was a key part of the rotation, making 25 starts with a commendable 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+) and a 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His performance also earned him an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), underlining his importance to the team's success.
Adding to the woes is Tyler Glasnow, whose injury issues are further testing the Dodgers' pitching depth as they eye a deep postseason run. Moreover, the injuries are not limited to these two; the Dodgers are sorely missing key contributors such as Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan.
With these setbacks, the current Dodgers rotation is leaning heavily on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. However, recent performances indicate struggles. Bobby Miller, despite being a promising talent, was optioned to Triple-A after a disappointing outing where he allowed four runs on seven hits over two innings against the Miami Marlins.
As of Wednesday, the Dodgers boast an impressive 89-62 record and hold a 3.5 game lead in the National League West. They are also two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed but trail the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the top seed. Each win or loss in these final games could significantly impact their playoff seeding and home-field advantage.
Managing these pitching dilemmas will be critical for the Dodgers in these closing weeks of the regular season. The front office, led by President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, faces the monumental task of keeping the rotation effective despite the injuries. Reflecting on the uncertainties surrounding Gavin Stone, Friedman remarked, "I'm not sure. 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."
Indeed, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The Dodgers must not only continue to perform but also juggle the intricate task of managing their depleted pitching roster. Success or failure in addressing these issues could define their postseason aspirations. Every decision made now will reverberate through the critical October games that lie ahead, marking a season of high stakes and even higher expectations.