Stabilizing The Back End Of The Rotation
by Eric Stephen on Sep 8, 2009 9:10 AM PDT
in Research
13 comments
The Dodgers' top four pitchers have been solid, if unspectacular, this season, providing a solid foundation of a very good pitching staff.
| Pitcher | GS | W-L | Team W-L | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA | WHIP | FIP |
| Wolf | 30 | 10-6 | 19-11 | 190.0 | 159 | 72 | 68 | 49 | 145 | 3.22 | 1.095 | 3.81 |
| Billingsley | 28 | 12-9 | 16-12 | 172.2 | 150 | 80 | 74 | 72 | 155 | 3.86 | 1.286 | 3.57 |
| Kershaw | 28 | 8-8 | 13-15 | 159.0 | 112 | 53 | 51 | 86 | 167 | 2.89 | 1.245 | 3.19 |
| Kuroda | 16 | 5-6 | 9-7 | 93.1 | 89 | 47 | 43 | 20 | 66 | 4.15 | 1.168 | 3.62 |
| Totals | 102 | 35-29 | 57-45 | 615.0 | 510 | 252 | 236 | 3.32/9 | 7.80/9 | 3.45 | 1.198 | 3.55 |
It seems like the Dodgers have spent most of this season looking for someone to take the fifth starter role. First, it was James McDonald. Then Eric Stults got his chance. Eric Milton and Jason Schmidt fought back from injuries to take their shot. Jeff Weaver has spot started here and there throughout the year. The Dodgers even went the unconventional route, employing a knucklballer, Charlie Haeger, in the role, albeit on a short leash. All year, the Dodgers have needed someone to slot behind their top four starters, just to eat up some innings. Despite the uphill battle, the Dodgers have done remarkably well when their "fifth starters" have pitched.
| Pitcher | GS | W-L | Team W-L | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA | WHIP | FIP |
| Stults | 10 | 4-3 | 7-3 | 50.0 | 51 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 33 | 4.86 | 1.540 | 4.28 |
| Weaver | 7 | 2-1 | 4-3 | 31.2 | 31 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 23 | 3.13 | 1.421 | 4.24 |
| Milton | 5 | 2-1 | 3-2 | 23.2 | 30 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 3.80 | 1.521 | 3.56 |
| Schmidt | 4 | 2-2 | 2-2 | 17.2 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 5.60 | 1.585 | 5.34 |
| Haeger | 3 | 1-1 | 2-1 | 17.1 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 3.63 | 1.096 | 6.02 |
| Padilla | 3 | 2-0 | 3-0 | 16.1 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 2.76 | 1.224 | 3.20 |
| McDonald | 4 | 1-1 | 3-1 | 13.1 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 8.78 | 1.950 | 7.56 |
| Garland | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 7.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 2.57 | 0.857 | 3.71 |
| Totals | 37 | 15-9 | 25-12 | 177.0 | 173 | 91 | 86 | 4.27/9 | 6.15/9 | 4.37 | 1.452 | 4.58 |
Winning 67.6% of games started by these guys is pretty amazing, if not just a little bit lucky. The additions of Vicente Padilla and Jon Garland have helped, as did the pitching of Haeger, as the Dodgers have won seven straight starts by their "fifth starters." Before Haeger stepped into the rotation, the back end starters averaged only 4.55 innings per start. But, in eight starts starting on August 17, the group has averaged 5.63 innings per start.
The top four have thrown at least six innings in 71 of 102 starts, and thrown 62 quality starts. The fifth starters have only thrown six quality starts (also the same number of time they've pitched six innings), but four of those have come in the last three weeks, including Padilla's outing yesterday. Garland has pitched six innings in 17 of his last 18 starts, so it looks like for at least the final four weeks of the season, the back end of the Dodger rotation is more stable than it has been all season.
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Excellent article
Yes, the back end of the rotation has stabilized just in time to face Cellar Dwellers in 14* out of the final 23 games.
- The D-backs and Padres are currently tied for last place so they both count as Cellar Dwellers
by Connector on Sep 8, 2009 9:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Kuroda
is going to be fine, I think. I hope he finishes the season strong and can do in the playoffs what he did last year.
by LA Taco on Sep 8, 2009 9:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
nice piece, despite the ever changing 5th starter role
I think any team would kill to get that kind of production out of the back end of the rotation
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
by Ollie on Sep 8, 2009 11:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
James McDonald should be starting
Sorry.. DOnt know what happen there. But I think McDonald should start and have Weaver as the long man.
by NotJoeTorre on Sep 8, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree long term that should be the plan. But right now its not reasonable to expect that, for this year.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 8, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had this dream
That monster lead in the division would still be there and Kershaw and the children would get plenty of rest..
Oh well, stupid NL west.
by NotJoeTorre on Sep 8, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not yet
I don’t think mcdonald is up for the challenge yet. He’s too streaky. Just when you think he on, poof, he gives up a ton of hits for runs. I personally like the knuckleballer. Then bring in Mcdonald around the 6-7 th inong to finish the job.
by Skunkburner on Sep 8, 2009 12:17 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Is CH going to get another start?
and does the fact that all the shots he gave up were to righties mean we’re less likely to see him in late innings?
by stillnotah8er on Sep 8, 2009 12:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not this year
Haeger is 7th on the depth chart among starters right now.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 8, 2009 12:58 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
You don't foresee a chance of Garland or even Padilla
usurping any one of Billingsley, Kershaw or Kuroda in the playoff rotation? Especially if Padilla and Garland stay hot? Just throwing that out there to maybe spark some discussion.
by Ian Capilouto on Sep 8, 2009 1:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It would take a lot more slumping or injuries from any of those three to be bumped from the playoff rotation.
Best shot is Garland over Kuroda, but only if Kuroda’s health is in question.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 8, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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