Dodgers News: Team Debating Who To Start In Place Of Josh Beckett
While Paul Maholm may seem like a natural option considering he’s filled in as a spot starter this season, Mattingly will likely look elsewhere according to Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA:
Mattingly said that they will use a spot starter to fill Beckett's spot for his next start. Maholm really isn't built up to start right now.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) July 8, 2014
This season, Maholm is 1-4 with a 5.07 ERA in 55.0 innings of work over 23 appearances. In his last 10 appearances, the left-hander has not earned a decision and has posted a 5.25 ERA in 12.0 innings. His subpar numbers and struggles as a starter may be another reason Mattingly is cautious against tapping Maholm to make the start.
According to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times, Red Patterson is a possibility to earn the start:
Mattingly notes Red Patterson has started on Beckett's day in AAA and could be an option to start Sat.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) July 8, 2014
Patterson is scheduled to start for Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday. The right-hander is 3-7 with a 5.15 ERA this season with the Isotopes and has one Major League appearance to his name.
Patterson started one game of a doubleheader on May 1 against the Minnesota Twins. He pitched 4.2 innings, giving up one earned run on two hits in what wound up being a 4-3 Dodger extra-inning victory.
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With that ERA in the minors, Patterson doesn’t seem any better option than Maholm. Dodgers need to acquire another starter, as both Beckett and Haren are questionable for the remainder of the season. Once in the playoffs, three starters will be enough, but you have to get there first!