Edinson Volquez To Make Spot Start On Wednesday

Relax, nobody’s hurt, but Wednesday night’s game could be a disaster in waiting, or a blessing depending on how you look at things. The Dodgers have announced Edinson Volquez, one of their newest acquisitions will make a spot start in the series finale against Colorado on Wednesday night. This may mean a loss with his poor numbers in Coors Field against Colorado, but it also means more rest for the rest of the pitching staff.

Look how sideways his hat is? Look at it.-Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Volquez was acquired from the Padres in a waiver trade earlier this week. Volquez has made his Dodger debut against his former team that had just released him on August 30. Isn’t Baseball ironic? Volquez threw a scoreless frame against his former teammates, but hasn’t started since August 23 against the Cubs. In that start he couldn’t even get out of the first inning. The sideways hat wearer allowed five earned runs on five hits, walked two and hit a batter, all before the chairs were warm. I would love to see Volquez pitch opposite of Fernando Rodney in a battle to see who can wear their hats the more sidewaysier. Yes I’ve created my own word. Sidewaysier, meaning more sideways than you can handle.

The Dodgers who have a huge 12.5 game lead in the NL West and a magic number of 14 to win the division title, are preparing for the postseason. This means letting the regulars get a breather. Volquez is getting the spot start in order to push everyone else in the rotation back a day, effectively giving each starter an extra day off.

Volquez has struggled with his command all season and was awful with San Diego. In his 27 starts with the Padres he was 9-10 with a 6.01 ERA and a 4.4 BB/9 rate.

This could be a good move though as it will allow the Dodgers to not only rest, but line up their rotation for the playoffs. With extra rest, or six days or more Volquez is 8-12 with a 4.72 ERA in 26 games. He’s posted an 8.3 K/9 rate and 122 whiffs in 131 innings. Volquez has been horrible at Coors Field in his career though. Look out above! Volquez is 3-7 with a 7.71 ERA against Colorado, and 1-4 with an 8.39 ERA at Coors Field in seven starts with 22 walks. Colorado is hitting .341 (46 for 135) versus Volquez. Colorado has hit four home runs off Volquez with a .955 OPS. Wilin Rosario has hit two home runs off Volquez in 20 plate appearances and has nine runs driven in.