Positives and Negatives of the 2015 Dodgers

Apr 10, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu (99) looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Down: The rest of the starting pitching

For as good as Kershaw and Greinke were, the rest of the pitching was very hit-and-miss (no pun intended). It started with the two season-ending injuries and the front office threw band-aids on it, most of which were mediocre at best.

Brett Anderson put together a fine season for the most part and started 31 games, which is about 30 more than I expected. He was okay for a third starter. If the rest of the pitching staff didn’t get hurt, Anderson would have remained the fifth starter and been one of the best fifth starters in the league. As a third, his numbers are far less impressive, but the impending free agent probably made himself some money this offseason, whether it be from the Dodgers or another team.

Mike Bolsinger started the fourth-most games for this team, which should indicate how badly injuries killed the rotation. Bolsinger was a pleasant surprise until being replaced by Mat Latos in the rotation. Latos was putrid, Bolsinger came back into the rotation and wasn’t the same. Don’t judge Bolsinger based on Kershaw and Greinke’s standards. For a 27-year-old pre-arb pitcher that the Dodgers got for NOTHING to put up a 2.83 ERA in 16 pre-trade deadline starts is phenomenal, and even though he was awful in September he was still productive overall this season

In all, 16 pitchers started a game for the Dodgers this season, which is four more than last year. When Ian Thomas and David Huff are starting, things might not be going well. Alex Wood, Bolsinger and Anderson weren’t absolutely terrible options, but it just felt off. Going into the playoffs, it felt like Kershaw and Greinke were dependable (obviously) and there was no reason to have faith in anyone else. It felt like Greinkshaw had to be perfect in the postseason for the Dodgers to go anywhere, and they weren’t.

Next: The Dodgers Were So Deep