Fan Poll Reveals Frustration With Dodgers’ Starting Rotation
As we reach the end of August, one month remains on the baseball calendar for teams to prepare for the postseason. Dodgers Nation posts weekly polls regarding all things Dodgers, creating a space for fans to share their opinions. Ranging from the pitching staff, to position players, to a debate about the best Dodger ever, this week’s polls gave much insight into the minds of fans as Los Angeles heads into the final month of the regular season.
Opinions regarding the Dodgers’ pitching staff was the most divided of all topics. Both the bullpen and starting rotation received nearly equal amounts of approving and disapproving votes. Only the starters received a more unfavorable rating overall.
Injuries are an obvious concern this season, especially for the rotation. Tyler Glasnow is back on the injured list after four starts. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was expected to be a significant contributor, has remained on the IL since June. Even some of the pitchers that have returned from injury, like Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, have struggled since becoming healthy.
Fans were specifically concerned about Buehler and Bobby Miller.
Across his first two starts, Buehler has logged a 7.36 ERA, allowing 11 hits and seven runs. Miller was optioned to Triple-A following the worst start in his career last month. Now that the Dodgers called him up again, Miller is still struggling, posting an 8.02 ERA in his first start back.
While Buehler and Miller bore the brunt of criticism toward the rotation, four relievers were the main targets of fans’ disapproval in the bullpen.
Phillips, Treinen, and Kelly all have logged ERAs over 4.60 since the All-Star break. This is a little too high for comfort, especially when the postseason rolls around. But, Banda has the lowest ERA of any southpaw on the team. Additionally, he has the second-lowest ERA of active pitchers in the bullpen, behind Michael Kopech.
Kopech has not allowed a run since joining the Dodgers, earning the trust of many fans in the poll.
Acquiring Kopech contributed to the fans’ approval of the front office. The addition of trade deadline pieces like Kopech, Jack Flaherty, Kevin Kiermaeir, and Tommy Edman have helped the Dodgers all over the field. The combination of trade deadline and offseason acquisitions generated more than three-quarters of fans’ satisfaction.
The position players also received mostly positive feedback. With only one fan pointing out an issue with the bottom of the batting lineup.
Oftentimes, the bottom of the lineup included some combination of Kiermaier, Kiké Hernández, Jason Heyward, and Chris Taylor. With Taylor’s return from injury, and Heyward being designated for assignment, the bottom third will look different on occasion.
With the Dodgers’ narrowing division lead, it is not surprising that a handful of fans do not approve of Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts.
Fans highlighted the main issue to be management of the pitching staff. As injuries have wiped out multiple Dodgers’ pitchers, some fans question if Roberts deserves blame.
However, many fans agreed Roberts has no control over injuries. One fan was impressed by Roberts’ ability to produce the best record in baseball despite having the most time lost on the IL.
Sometimes, Dodgers Nation includes bonus questions that are not part of the regular set of polls. Following the return of Justin Turner to Dodger Stadium over the series against the Mariners, one question asked if fans would like to see Turner finish his career in Dodger blue.
As one of the most accomplished and beloved Dodgers players in history, multiple fans are hoping to see “Justin Turner Day” on the calendar one day.
The final bonus question spurred a debate over the best season for a Dodger player in history. It asked if fans think Shohei Ohtani’s 2024 season deserves that title.
Some fans agreed that Ohtani’s season is up there for one of the best. But, he still has a few more criteria to meet in order to secure the title.
Other fans had their own suggestions for which Dodger players put up the best season in history, including Ohtani’s current teammate.
Regardless of which Dodger has had the best season, there is no doubt that Ohtani has already cemented himself as one of the best Major League players in history.
Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
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“Which Dodger players put up the best season in history”
With an admitted bias given my age and memory, I vote Koufax in 63, 65 or 66. Probably not in that order, but any, you pick ’em. You had to listen to appreciate it, Dodgers only televised 9 games a year in those days so unless you actually made it out to the game, you listened. Scully of course and Jerry Doggett. Look up his stats, over a thou strikeouts over those 3 years, 78 wins, etc. Yes, the game was different in those days, but Koufax was unworldly, he was from somewhere else.
As far as Roberts’ approval, this comment is just clueless: “Tied for best record with the most time lost on IL. How can you not approve of that?” Yes, Roberts usually does fine in the regular season, but that’s not what his approval should be based on. With their line-up and payroll, having the ‘best record’ means nothing. Try doing that with lesser line-ups and then maybe. His approval to me is based on playoffs because I’m not here to celebrate NL West titles, attendance records, or participation trophies. Playoffs is when it matters and he fails there: 3 – 10 in their last 3 series dating back to 2021 NLCS, and a current losing streak standing at 6 losses in a row. Four 100 win seasons in a row is an MLB first ever record and is wonderful, but they set expectations. He fails to live up to those expectations. 3 of those 4 years they lost in the NLDS. Approval? I don’t think so.
I disagree. A lot of pieces have to fall the right way to get to the WS, even more to win it. We haven’t had a repeat winner this century. Last year going into the playoffs, the ONLY starting pitcher on the roster who was on the team at the beginning of the year was an injured Kershaw, who flamed out. Personally, I watch a lot of games, most of the D’s games on MLB.tv, and I like watching wins a hell of a lot more than losses. Roberts has the highest winning percentage in his tenure in MLB history. I appreciate that.
Sure, there is something to be said for regular season success. And yes, a lot of things need to fall into place to get to and win the WS. Your satisfied with 3 – 13 in their last 3 playoff series and current owners of a 6 game playoff losing streak and I’m not. As far as last year, yes about the pitching staff. But he made idiotic pitching decisions 3 games in a row: starting an injured Kersh in game 1 resulting in a 162.0 ERA for that game. Yes, check it – that is correct. Then starting a rookie Bobby Miller in what became a must win, higher stakes game 2. Then leaving Lance Lynn in to give up not 2, not 3, but 4 HRs in a single inning for the first and only time in MLB playoff history.
But great managers, which Roberts clearly is not, are recognized for how they perform in in the crucible of the playoffs, not winning a moderately weak the NL West 11 out of 12 years then failing epically in the playoffs. And considering most of those years, they were playing 19 games, meaning 76 or nearly half of their games against that weaker NL West teams most of the time during his tenure, I’m not in agreement that that is the measure I’d hang my hat on. It’s a stat, but quite a bit misleading IMO. Proof of this is losing in 2019 NLDS to a team we finished 13 games in front of; in 2021 NLCS to a team we finished 18 games in front of; 2022 NLDS to a team we finished 22 games in front of; and 2023 NLDS to a team we finished 16 games in front of. He choked in 2017 WS decision making (look at game 7) and again in 2018 WS (look at game 4). I could easily point to epically poor decisions in every one of the playoff years.
Look, I view 2020 as a legitimate WS win because LAD had the same rules and season everyone else did. Certainly IMO it counts more than the 2017 Astr*s who cheated in every single home regular and playoff game. But Roberts has been given every bit of leash possible with management giving him a roster like none other in MLB. And he’s failed to live up to those expectations. I get it; you like having the Marty Schottenheimer of MLB as manager. I don’t. But if it makes you happy, keeping hanging those “NL West Champs” banners on the wall of your mancave.
With so much emphasis on winning a World Series, why even play the regular season? I suggest that the regular season is of no consequence so why not eliminate it? Maybe just forget the “regular season” and start a round robin tournament with all the teams participating? Teams would not have to worry about acquiring players that perform in the post season because there is no post season, just a World series run. Also, managers would not be judged on their post season record. I could be wrong, but perhaps money may be an issue. I probably will not be chosen as the next commissioner.
Considero que Walker buehler no debe abrir juegos aún, debe hacer labor de bullpen mientras se recupera. Es desagradable ver como le golpean la bola al inicio del juego además de la falta de control.