Dodgers: Ross Stripling in need of a strong finish to make playoff case

Ross Stripling seems to be a forgotten man for the Dodgers, given all the young pitching prospects who have come up. Chicken Strip is on the playoff roster bubble.

Ross Stripling made quite the impression back in his very first start with the Dodgers.  In what feels like a decade ago, Stripling threw 7 1/3 no-hit innings back in April of 2016 in his Major League debut.  Since that outing, the pitcher known as “Chicken Strip” has been an underrated player for the Dodgers over the last three seasons.

While Stripling has never had electric stuff, he has always had a team-first attitude and pitched in whatever role was asked of him.  Often times he would not be allowed to get into a routine swapping back and forth between being a starting pitcher and a reliever.  The same has been true in 2019.  Now Ross finds himself on the playoff roster bubble.

After last appearing in a game on July 24th, Ross Stripling has been sidelined due to a neck strain and biceps tendonitis.  It will not be until after September 1st when Stripling rejoins the club.  He threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and the next step for him is to pitch a simulated game next week against hitters.  Assuming he comes out of that feeling good, he could start a rehab assignment.

The one big issue for Stripling is that he has been passed on the depth chart by top pitching prospects Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May.  If Rich Hill cannot return as a starting pitcher, Dustin May will likely get the nod as the fourth playoff starter.

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Then there is Tony Gonsolin who has pitched well out of the bullpen and rotation showing the above-average stuff that helped his rapid ascension through the minor leagues last year.  Both May and Gonsolin are firmly in the mix for postseason roster spots and it would be a big surprise if either was left off.

The rest of the potential playoff bullpen seems to be locked down with Kenley Jansen, Joe Kelly, Pedro Baez, Adam Kolarek, Julio Urias, Kenta Maeda, and Dustin May taking up bullpen spots.  Gonsolin appears to be a heavy favorite to take up the last bullpen spot in October meaning Ross Stripling is currently on the outside looking in.

Stripling has had his moments as a relief pitcher.  Despite a 4.02 ERA in 15 2/3 innings this season, he was much more effective as a reliever in 2018.  In 2018 Stripling pitched to a 0.57 ERA across 15 2/3 innings of relief while holding the opposition to a .220 batting average.  If he finds a spot on this year’s postseason roster it is most likely as a reliever.

In order to make a case for a postseason roster spot, Stripling is going to have to come out hot in September and pitch extremely well.  His postseason experience is something that could help aid his bid for a roster spot but he going to need to be nearly perfect in September.  Ross has always been a team-first player and this season that might mean watching the postseason from the sidelines.