Dodgers: Comparing the Rosters of the Astros and Dodgers

Starting Rotation:

Any team with the type of season that Houston is having must have a starting rotation performing at its best. The Astros have a legitimate ace in Dallas Keuchel. Lance McCullers Jr. has been great this season and has been the glue for the rotation which has suffered two critical injuries to Keuchel and McHugh.

Before going down, Keuchel was 9-0 with a 1.67 ERA and was showing why he is a CY Young award winner. The 23-year-old McCullers has solidified himself as the number two starter in a postseason series. When healthy, Collin McHugh can be a nice option as your third starter. To round out the rotation, they have veterans Mike Fiers and Charlie Morton who provide experience to a young team.

The Dodgers’ pitching this year had some questions before the year started. But it seems as though most, if not all, of these issues, have been answered by outstanding performances. One thing nobody was questioning was the ability of Clayton Kershaw, and he has been fantastic to the surprise of nobody.

The best pitcher in the world is the ace of the staff, and that’s Clayton KershGod, but nobody knew who his second fiddle would be. That was until Alex Wood came in guns a blazing earning his spot as the number two starter and should be under consideration for the Cy Young Award.

Rich Hill is the third starter and is great if blisters aren’t hampering him. Brandon McCarthy started strong and hopefully will continue that. Last season’s number three starter, Kenta Maeda, is now the number five, showing the depth of this team. Kenta Maeda has had a roller coaster of a year with ups and downs a plenty.

Verdict:

Here is a disclaimer: Houston’s ace is on the DL at the moment. The Astros could very well add some significant pieces before the deadline and pass the Dodgers. But for now, the Dodgers take the starting rotation. Two Cy Young candidates will do that. Rich Hill proved he could be dominant when healthy and this Dodger rotation can be scary when all five are.

Los Angeles, Dodgers Lead 5-3