Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Tony Gonsolin’s Potential Postseason Role Becomes Clearer

Dodgers rookie Tony Gonsolin was scheduled to make his seventh start of the season Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays but was later scratched in favor of bullpen pitcher Casey Sadler. Manager Dave Roberts did have a reason for the sudden change as the team gets closer to the postseason, however.

Gonsolin has been nothing short of impressive during his first season receiving time at the major league level. He’s appeared in 8 games and started 6 of those on his way to a 3-2 record and a 2.85 ERA.

If anything, his performance thus far has put pressure on the front office to include him on the roster when the playoffs start.

https://twitter.com/DanJPreciado/status/1173425638331621376?s=20

A Valuable Piece in the Bullpen

While Gonsolin has primarily been a starter during his time with the Dodgers, he has the potential to be a formidable piece in what has been somewhat a lackluster bullpen come October.

In his two relief appearances this year which amounted to a total of seven innings, the RHP put up a 2.57 ERA only allowing five hits and striking out seven. This is without a doubt a small sample size, but if its any indication of the value he adds to the bullpen, the Dodgers may be wise to keep him on the roster.

Do you think Tony Smokes deserves a spot on the playoff roster, albeit as a relief pitcher? Let us know what you think below!

Kellan Grant

I’m currently a junior at Pomona College in Claremont, CA, and I have a passion for sports journalism. I grew up in the LA area and am a diehard fan of the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, UCLA, Kings. My favorite Dodgers memory was watching Kershaw tear up after the team won the 2017 NLCS and advanced to the World Series for the first time in his career. After college, I plan on either pursuing a career as a sports journalist or working in sports law.

4 Comments

  1. Roberts doesn’t have the courage to tell Jansen he is not closing. So Dodgers lose in Playoffs they will not make the WS.

  2. If Gonsolin is not named the 4th starter in the playoffs, I will be surprised. He has shown poise and savvy beyond his years. And, Roberts has already stated that Strips will be in the BP. To start Hill is tantamount to disaster. May is coming along just fine, but he is a better starter than reliever as we have seen. Go Blue!!!!

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