Dodgers: 5 Moves That Will Instantly Improve the Team

Solidify starting rotation with Alex Wood

The Dodgers starting rotation this year has been somewhat of a carousel. Seven different qualified starting pitchers have made starts this year. However, other than Clayton Kershaw and Brandon McCarthy, Alex Wood has been the only one to make a case to be a mainstay.

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He was brilliant in Spring Training but struggled when facing lineups more than once at the beginning of the season. However, he’s been nothing short of fantastic in his last three starts. In those 16 innings, he’s struck out 29 batters while only walking three. In his last two starts he hasn’t given up a single run, and one of those starts came in hitter’s haven Coors Field.

On the season, he’s pitched 35.2 innings, racked up 48 strikeouts and has posted a 2.27 ERA and 1.009 WHIP while doing so. Pretty elite numbers. He’s also been dominant particularly against right-handed hitters, limiting them to a .179 average and holding a 0.70 ERA.

Dodger fans may have scratched their heads when Wood first came over from Atlanta. His fastball barely hovered at 90 mph. However, a big reason why he’s found success is his velocity has increased dramatically. With a power sinking fastball, Wood’s changeup and slider have been devastating. If Wood can keep his stamina up and go six innings consistently, the Dodgers may have an unexpected number two.

When McCarthy and Hill return, that should give the Dodgers four legitimate starters. Kenta Maeda has improved after a slow start, so he should reclaim his spot after he returns from the DL.In the meantime, the Dodgers will use Hyun-Jin Ryu and Julio Urias, though both may move to the bullpen if they continue to pitch like they did in the last starts (albeit the struggles were in Colorado).