Dodgers: Five Players Crucial for a Successful Postseason

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Ross Stripling #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning of the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 21, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Ross Stripling could not have asked for a better season. Sure, the end of the season was not ideal with his back injury and DL stint to get some rest but even with some abbreviated starts recently the overall numbers for the 28-year old righty are seriously good and are not to be overlooked.

In 120.1 innings, the most he has thrown in the major leagues, Stripling has maintained a 2.84 ERA, a 1.147 WHIP, 137 strikeouts, and a career-best ERA+ of 137. Stripling has also maintained a K9 rate of 10 for the first time in his career.

Most of this work was done as a starter. The 2018 All-Star started the year in the pen but was quickly moved to the rotation due to injuries and just pure dominance as a reliever. And when he continued to dominate as a starter, the Dodgers never moved him back to the pen.

But, come the postseason, Stripling will (and should) be moved back to the bullpen where he can dominate batters in shorter stints but, he can do it more often.

As a reliever, the Dodgers can utilize Stripling and his hot hand more than once per series and use him in a variety of ways: a fourth starter if necessary, a long man, setup, middle relief or even as a closer.

Stripling will have to dominate batters and stay ahead of them to continue his effectiveness and this will be impreative for the Dodgers to win. Pitching wins games in baseball and if Stripling can maintain pace and play the way he has, he will be a huge boost to the bullpen and the team as a whole.

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