Did Dodgers Make Correct Decision Switching Starters For NLDS Matchup vs Padres?
The Dodgers changing pitching plans just two days before the NLDS may prove to be an erroneous move. On Thursday afternoon, the Dodgers announced they were switching the order of front-line starters, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty.
The Thursday afternoon announcement sent shock waves through the Dodgers fanbase for several reasons. Flaherty was the obvious choice to start Game 1 since his performances on the mound have been the strongest. It was no surprise that he got the Game 1 nod.
Every pitcher following Flaherty has a certain aspect of unpredictability that comes with them.
The biggest question marks surrounding Yamamoto are length and stability, two aspects the right-hander has struggled with particularly when facing the San Diego Padres this season.
The switch almost implies that the Dodgers anticipate the series to go down to the wire, which doesn’t bode well for many fans. If the series were to reach Game 5, the Dodgers bullpen would likely be overworked by that point.
In preparation for that scenario, the Dodgers are switching Yamamoto to Game 1 to ensure he will be available for potential Game 5.
The switch also indicates that the Dodgers are faced with another postseason pitching dilemma. Yamamoto has pitched just 16 innings in the last 3.5 months after returning from a long stint on the injured list.
Although Flaherty is the strongest pitcher in the rotation, the drastic drop in his fastball velocity is cause for concern.
At this point, nobody can be sure if any pitcher in the Dodgers’ postseason rotation can give them a quality start, but Flaherty seemed the likely candidate to do so.
Starting Yamamoto is certainly a questionable decision. The two times he’s faced the Padres this season, the 25-year-old gave up eight earned runs on eight hits through six innings.
His two performances against San Diego highlight his struggles with length and stability against the familiar foe. However, Yamamoto has a chance to rewrite the narrative in Game 1.
Dodgers fans can trust that the experts calling the shots know what they’re doing, but the playoff results of the past add an aspect of dismay. Based on the outcomes of Games 1 and 2, the sudden pitching change will either be under intense scrutiny or receive high praise. There’s never an in-between when it comes to the Dodgers.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!
