The Los Angeles Dodgers are yet to lose when starter Eric Lauer pitches for them, currently boasting an 8-0 record when the left-hander pitches.
The Dodgers traded for Lauer after the Toronto Blue Jays put him on waivers in May, and he has been a big part of a bullpen which suffered some injuries early in the season. Through his eight appearances, Lauer has a 3.35 ERA and a spotless 4-0 record.
Lauer is aware of the streak he has put together, and has let manager Dave Roberts know about his performances while showing off the confidence he’s grown.
“He’s told me,” Roberts said. “He’s told me that when he starts, we win.”
Lauer notoriously spoke out against having an opener while he played for the Blue Jays, and used his solid record with the Dodgers as leverage when the Dodgers proposed the idea. The Dodgers still went through with using an opener, having Will Klein come out before Lauer threw six no-hit innings against the Minnesota Twins.
“That was when we were discussing the opener that we used the one time (in Minnesota last month), and I just mentioned to him (Roberts) I was like, ‘Listen, we’re 4-0 when I start the game,’” Lauer said of his interaction with Roberts. “But it was more of a joke than anything.”
The southpaw pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, and turned in yet another solid performance in his long list of strong showings for the Dodgers. Despite allowing three runs through 5.1 innings pitched, Lauer kept the Dodgers in the game and allowed them a chance to win. He struck out five batters in the game, matching his high with the Dodgers.
Will Eric Lauer Remain in the Dodgers’ Rotation?
For the time being, Lauer has certainly earned his keep as a starter for the Dodgers—especially with their current injury crisis. When players start returning, though, he may make a move into the bullpen.
The Dodgers have a five-man rotation for the time being, as nobody has replaced Shohei Ohtani since the Dodgers shut him down from pitching due to his irritated knee. Blake Snell is on his way back, so he would likely fill the open slot whenever he does come back, and Ohtani would force someone out of the rotation.
That player could be Lauer depending on the team’s view on right-hander Emmet Sheehan, but the Dodgers also have a decision to make with Lauer before Aug. 3. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic says the Dodgers could trade him at the trade deadline if their starters come back from the injured list.
“Depending on how Snell and Glasnow progress through the end of July, trading Eric Lauer — especially with several teams looking to fortify their rotations — remains a possibility,” Ardaya wrote.
While the future isn’t certain for Lauer at the moment, his strong performances are more than welcome in the Dodgers rotation for as long as he continues producing.
