Dodgers News: Rich Hill’s Spring Struggles Continue Against Oakland

Rich Hill is a slow starter, but this spring has been especially rough.

Hill surrendered four runs in 3.2 innings to his former employer, the Oakland A’s. He’s lowered his ERA by more than three runs in the last two weeks, but the overall body of work is below average.

Rich Hill is having a rough one today.

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) March 25, 2017

Rich Hill struggling for second inning. Already action in bullpen.

— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) March 25, 2017

Hill’s ERA escalated to 8.03 with the outing. His curve has been inconsistent, and he’s yet to get much power on his pitches. Hill admitted he is a slow starter, but obviously wanted to rectify it as soon as possible.

That hasn’t happened. He hasn’t improved this month, and is actually pitching worse than his 5.68 career spring ERA.

Pitchers since '61 w/12+ wins in age-36 or older season to hold the opposition below .200 AVG: Ryan, R. Johnson, Clemens & Rich Hill in '16. pic.twitter.com/keWk4pIQOU

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) March 11, 2017

Los Angeles shouldn’t be worried about March results, but it certainly would’ve preferred a better showing from its new $48 million man.

The 37-year-old is critical to the Dodgers’ World Series chances. The organization will hope this month has been just another poor spring from Hill, not a sign of things to come.