Dodgers: Three Dodgers who could be postseason x-factors

Rich Hill – Rotation x-factor

Perhaps no Dodger player has more uncertainty surrounding them this postseason than Rich Hill.  Hill made two “starts” to end the regular season but totaled just five innings.  In this five innings he did strikeout nine while allowing just one hit.  That was against the Giants and Padres though and the competition will be much better in the postseason.

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For Rich Hill this could be his final postseason ever.  He will turn forty years old before next season and if the Dodgers choose to let him go in free agency it could be the end of his career.  There is also the chance that Rich decides to retire especially if the Dodgers are able to win their first World Series title since 1988.

Although he made just 13 starts this season, Rich Hill was still very effective when he was on the mound.  For the season, Rich pitched to a 2.45 ERA and held the opposition to a .223 average.  Over the last three postseason runs, Hill has been one of the Dodgers’ most consistent starting pitchers posting an ERA of 3.46, 2.55, and 2.16.

While the first three spots in the rotation have not been decided, the one known is that Rich Hill will be the Dodgers’ fourth starter.  He will likely go four to five innings in his first postseason start but could go beyond five innings if the Dodgers advance to the NLCS and World Series.

Look for Rich Hill to grunt and grimace his way through the postseason and look uncomfortable doing it with a bulky knee brace.  In typical Rich Hill fashion he will leave everything he has on the field.  If this is it for Rich Hill’s career, hopefully he finishes strong and caps off his career with a World Series ring.