As the Los Angeles Dodgers approach the conclusion of the regular season and prepare for the playoffs, the team is dealing with a cascade of injuries that are stretching their pitching staff thin. Among the most significant setbacks is the likely absence of right-hander Gavin Stone for the rest of the season. This comes as quite a blow to the Dodgers' postseason plans, with the team already missing several key contributors and fighting for top seeding.
Stone's Season Cut Short
Manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that Gavin Stone is "very unlikely" to return this season due to lingering shoulder soreness. Stone last pitched on August 31, capping what had been a strong campaign with 25 starts, yielding a 3.53 ERA (111 ERA+) and an impressive 3.14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He accumulated an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), providing vital stability to the rotation throughout the season.
Stone's absence forces the Dodgers to adjust their pitching strategy as they head into crucial games. The injury does not come at a favorable time, as every game leading up to the playoffs is critical for seeding and potential home-field advantage.
Postseason Pitching Depth in Jeopardy
Adding to the woes is Tyler Glasnow, who is also facing injury issues. While details surrounding Glasnow’s condition are less publicized, his absence would further deplete the Dodgers’ depth. The team is already without stalwarts Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan.
The current rotation features Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, and Landon Knack. However, for a team with championship aspirations, the lack of dependable starters could be a significant hurdle. Bobby Miller's recent struggles exemplify the rotation's instability; he was optioned to Triple-A after allowing four runs on seven hits over just two innings against the Miami Marlins.
Management's Perspective
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman remains cautiously optimistic. "I'm not sure," Friedman told MLB.com. "I'm optimistic he is going to do everything he possibly can. There's just so much unknown around it that we're going to do all we can to dominate each day, and hopefully, when he starts throwing, he can ramp up from there. It's just hard to speculate right now."
Friedman's words underscore the precarious balance the Dodgers must maintain as they navigate through these injuries while competing for a top seed. The team boasts a commendable 89-62 record as of Wednesday, maintaining a 3 1/2 game lead in the National League West. Additionally, they are two games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL's second seed, yet trail the Philadelphia Phillies by two games for the top seed. This makes every win crucial in the race for better playoff positioning.
Importance of Winning Now
The Dodgers have historically been a team built on strong pitching, and maintaining that strength is paramount. With key contributors sidelined and pressure mounting, the current rotation and bullpen must step up. Newer faces like Yamamoto and Flaherty carry added responsibilities, adding excitement but also a level of uncertainty.
The decisions made in the coming days will have lasting impacts on the Dodgers' postseason trajectory. Managing these pitching dilemmas effectively will be vital, as every win or loss can significantly influence their seeding and potential home-field advantage in October.
As the regular season draws to a close, the Dodgers are undoubtedly feeling the strain of these injuries. However, their resilience and strategic depth have carried them this far, and fans will be hoping that these qualities continue to shine through in the critical weeks ahead.