Dodgers: Five Disappointing Dodgers of the First Half

Rich Hill – 5-4 3.69 ERA

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To Rich Hill’s credit, he seems to be turning things around with three straight quality starts to end the first-half. The problem is that those are the only three quality starts he made in the entire first half.  After signing a new three-year deal, the Dodgers expected more than three quality starts a half, but that is what they got with Hill, who also missed time due to his infamous blister problems.

In the first half of the season, Rich Hill was more of a four or five inning starter, and that’s not going to cut it when you are expected to be the number two starter in the rotation. Although Alex Wood has now taken that spot, Rich Hill is still being counted on to produce quality starts and be a main cog in the Dodgers’ playoff rotation. Hill was said to have made mechanical changes, and it appeared to pay off toward the end of the first half.

Hill’s first few months were very rocky as he posted an ERA of 4.50 in May and an ERA of 5.04 in June. Combined with taxing the bullpen due to being unable to make it through five innings, Hill was not very useful in the first few months.

Next: Dodgers All Time Top 5 First Half Performances

In his last June start and two July starts, Hill seemed to have found his form as he only allowed a .125 opponent’s batting average and cut down on his walks. With the playoffs essentially being a lock for the Dodgers, Hill could help the team get to the World Series if he is right. Hopefully, these last three starts for Hill are a sign of things to come in the second half.