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Dodgers Series Recap: Should Kenta Maeda be Sent to the Bullpen?

By Michael Wittman

SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 5: Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park May 5, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 5: Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park May 5, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – MAY 5: Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers prepares to pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park May 5, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

It’s time to move Kenta Maeda to the bullpen

The Dodgers have honored Kenta Maeda’s incentive-laden contract ever since he signed with them on a team friendly eight-year deal.  That is one of the main reasons that he started the season in the rotation but it’s time to do what is best for the team and that is to send Kenta to the bullpen and insert Ross Stripling into the rotation.

Maeda has allowed ten earned runs in fifteen innings over his last three starts against the Cubs, Giants, and Padres.  He has had trouble consistently finding the strike zone and lacked bite on his slider which has been his main putaway pitch in the Major Leagues.  This season he is allowing 4.1 walks per nine innings which is inflated from his career average of 2.7.

It is in the best interest of the team right now to put Ross Stripling into the rotation.  He is the better starting pitcher right now and Kenta Maeda is better suited for relief.  Kenta’s fastball gains a few ticks coming out of the bullpen and it would give him time to work on regaining his signature control.

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