Dodgers Have as Good Pitching Rotation as Any Heading into Division Series

After sealing game 163 in a dominant and impressive fashion, young Walker Buehler proves he is cut for the spotlight this postseason. With Buehler behind Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers have as good as a pitching staff as any, in the national league heading into the Division Series.

Derailed by injuries Buehler stuck around this season, really blossoming as one of the best pitchers on the Dodgers. To offer a starting rotation built around Kershaw, Buehler, Ryu and Rich Hill; along with their batting lineup gives the Dodgers a great chance any given night, starting with the Division Series.

Walker Buehler, a surprising phenom, finished 2018 with a remarkable 2.76 ERA along with 148 strikeouts! He even struck out about ten batters every nine innings, according to Dodgers Nation.  Improving, even more, the second half of the season, Walker has a mere 2.21 ERA closing out the season.

Dave Roberts made it absolutely clear by starting Buehler in game 163, shows that he is going all-in this postseason. He also has made it clear about the expectations this club has after losing in seven games last world series.

The time is now for a playoff run, and fortunately, the Braves are a young team with talent, but no ace.  Additionally, with no experience together, which may be their haunting, as well as the Dodgers ticket back to the NLCS.

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Dodgers Way’ own Micahel Wittman, points out how the Dodgers have three starting pitchers with ERA’s of 2.00 (Ryu), 2.73 (Kershaw), and 2.76 (Buehler). Additionally, Ryu, Kershaw, and Buehler have pitched very well, yet they have been at their best in the second half! Kershaw ending with an earned run average of 2.34, Walker Buehler finishes with a 2.21 ERA, and Ryu impressively has a 1.93 ERA!

With Hyun Jin-Ryu pitching so efficiently this season, sharpening his ERA to be less than 2.0 is some accomplishment. Ryu who has also been a warm surprise for the Dodgers rotation really dominated a lot of his outings.  Lately, he has been able to average at least six innings this last month in each of his outings. Which is exactly where the team needs Ryu to pitch into late in games. Besides logging one start which was not such a quality outing, earning three runs in five innings at Cincinnati Reds, Ryu has pitched well. He will hopefully continue to do so this postseason.

Kershaw, LA’s ace, despite getting rocked his last outing still had a no-decision. Yet some might find this to be a cause for concern, it is safe to say Clayton understands how to prepare and be ready for the playoffs. When his number gets called to the mound, he will be ready as he has repeatedly shown in October year after year.

Imagine a star-studded dangerous hitting lineup, even with the bench, and these three pitchers in the rotation any given night. There should be no surprise if the Dodgers were favorites to win the national league for the second year in a row. They will be able to match up well with any team they face this postseason.