Julio Urías looks for MLB-leading 14th win

While the Dodgers have constantly looked for help in the starting rotation this season, there’s been one familiarity every week. Julio Urias.

The 24-year-old is in the middle of his most productive big-league season. He’ll make his 23rd start tonight, a career-high by a solid amount. Urias has also thrown 129 ²⁄₃ innings, 50 more than his previous career-best.

In addition to being a reliable option every fifth day, Urias has been fantastic for LA. He’s currently 13-3 and will go for his Major-League leading 14th victory tonight against the Angels. The lefty also owns a 3.40 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 1.05 WHIP and has 139 strikeouts. Urias is one of only seven pitchers who have put up those numbers in at least 129 innings this season, joining teammate Walker Buehler, along with Gerrit Cole, Zach Wheeler, Kevin Gausman, Brandon Woodruff and Chris Bassitt.

All those pitchers included will be receiving Cy Young Award votes this season, and Urias likely will as well.

In 11 starts this season, Urias has given LA at least six innings, including seven innings in six starts. With the Dodgers having a bullpen game essentially every week, Urias has been a reliable arm who can eat innings and save a taxed pen.

There’s also a reason he has 13 wins. Well, getting an insane amount of run support every game certainly helps, but he really limits the damage when he takes the mound. He’s allowed two runs or fewer in 14 starts this season, that’s nearly two out of every three starts. As long as the offense shows up in some form (which is really asking for a lot nowadays) the Dodgers will win those Urias starts.

It took about six years, but Urias has finally turned himself into the starting pitcher the Dodgers envisioned so many years ago when they signed him. He’s having a Cy Young Award caliber season, but most importantly has been a reliable and much needed arm in LA’s depleted starting rotation.

Game info

Teams: Dodgers (65-45) vs. Angels (56-54)

Location: Dodger Stadium

First pitch: 6:10 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA, Bally Sports West