Grading the Dodgers: Rotation

October 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) returns to the dugout after being relieved in the seventh inning against New York Mets in game five of NLDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Zack Greinke: A+

Maybe I’m just too easy of a teacher?

Greinke, much like Kershaw, has a pretty good shot at winning the Cy Young. They did it in completely different ways, but they both put together historic seasons.

Kershaw kind of struggled out of the gate, while Greinke never really did. He gave up five runs in two starts. He gave up three or fewer in his other 30 starts, including 21 starts giving up zero or one run. The highest ERA he had after a start was 1.95. Greinke only struck out 200 batters, but his consistency from April to October was incredible. You pretty much knew the Dodgers had a chance to win every game he started, and they won 23 of the 32 games he threw, including both of the games in which he allowed five runs.

Greinke’s 2016 outlook is a lot less obvious that Kershaw’s. He has an opt-out in his contract that he will more than likely exercise, making him a free agent. He said kind things about the Dodger organization and signs point to him being open to returning, but with a top-heavy free agent pitching market, it’s far from a sure thing that he will be back. If I were a betting man, I would put money on him returning in 2016, but I also don’t see this front office paying an irresponsible amount of money to a pitcher in potentially his age-37 season. I do expect him to return in 2016, but if he hasn’t, it’s been an honor.

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