Dodgers: 5 Reasons the 2017 Dodgers are better than 2016

Darvish gives the Dodgers a much better playoff rotation in 2017

In 2016 the Dodgers playoff rotation consisted of Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Julio Urias and Kenta Maeda.  Julio Urias was inexperienced in the playoffs, and Kenta Maeda struggled mightily and appeared to be worn down in October. Maeda had a 6.75 ERA in the playoffs last year and only went ten innings total in three playoff starts.

This year the Dodgers projected playoff rotation is so deep that Rich Hill is likely going to be the third or fourth playoff starter after being the second pitcher in the playoff rotation last year. One reason for this is the acquisition of Yu Darvish, and the other reason is the breakout season that Alex Wood is having. Darvish has struck out at least ten hitters in each of his first two starts as a Dodger and has as filthy of a repertoire as anyone on the Dodgers including Kershaw.

Speaking of Kershaw the biggest benefit of this year’s deeper projected playoff rotation is that Kershaw should not have to start on short rest in the first round. The past couple of seasons, Kershaw has had to go on short rest twice in the first round and this could be a possible reason for his playoff struggles. Last year he actually appeared in three games of the five game series in the NLDS.  By keeping Kershaw fresh, he should be able to give the Dodgers at least seven strong innings in each playoff start.