Dodgers: What the Dodgers can take away from the 2019 World Series

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Daniel Hudson #44 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Daniel Hudson #44 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Strong starting pitching still delivers championships

It’s no secret how the Nationals and Astros got to the World Series. Along with timely hitting, both clubs had the best starting rotations in the postseason.  The Nationals had two aces in Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, while the Astros had Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander.  Even their third starters (Corbin & Greinke) would be a top-two starter on most teams across the league.

The Dodgers have a bright young ace in Walker Buehler but after him, the club needs to strengthen their starting rotation.  Hyun-Jin Ryu had a stellar regular season but made just one average start in the NLDS and struggled in the NLCS and World Series in 2018.  As for Clayton Kershaw, everyone knows the postseason story with him by now.  The blue needs a second upper-echelon starting pitcher behind Buehler.