Dodgers: Too Early to Think About the NLDS?

Colorado Rockies (P, Greg Holland; 3B, Nolan Arenado)

Holland: A closer with a current ERA above 4.00, and pitching in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John Surgery; should Holland really be in this discussion? The answer should be ‘yes.’ Not only does Holland have World Series experience – having been to the Fall Classic in 2014 with the Kansas City Royals – but his ERA does not speak for what he has meant to the 2017 Colorado Rockies. The ‘Mile High’-powered offense in Colorado has been producing at a high rate since the start of the year. By signing Greg Holland in the past offseason, the Rockies have had a luxury that has rarely been figured out by them before; a closer who is legitimate. The experience of Holland has led him to pitch (not surprisingly) well this season with Colorado. Being able to turn to a quality bullpen arm is something that Colorado has needed and finally, has for that moment that they take the lead. Holland would be a man to do a heavy scouting report on if you are Los Angeles.

Arenado: Realistically, not much needs to be said about Nolan Arenado facing the Dodgers, or any team for that matter. He is an MVP candidate every year and unfortunately happens to be on an NL West team that is NOT named the Los Angeles Dodgers. So far, through 12 games against the Dodgers in 2017, Arenado has posted a .304 batting average, also carrying four home runs and ten runs batted in (stats per Baseball-Reference). Those numbers alone are enough to scare any Dodger fan. Not to mention, he also has Clayton Kershaw’s number – when it comes to the one-on-one matchup. Arenado’s career numbers against the Dodgers’ ace: .311, two home runs, four runs batted in, and 14 total hits; through 47 career plate appearances.