The Los Angeles Dodgers, after acquiring Detroit Tigers Ace Tarik Skubal via trade on Saturday, gave their starting rotation a huge boost.
Even with some of their key starters currently on the injured list, the Dodgers’ current rotation would be among the best in MLB. As of now, their rotation consists of Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski, Eric Lauer and Roki Sasaki.
Skubal has been one of the best pitchers in MLB for several seasons now, posting a 2.46 ERA though 93 starts since the beginning of the 2023 season. This year, he has a 2.79 ERA through 16 starts, missing some time after undergoing an elbow procedure, striking out 116 batters in 96.2 innings pitched.
He rarely walks batters, ranking in the 100th percentile of MLB with a 3.7% walk rate, and also ranks in the top 10% of the league in chase rate, whiff rate and strikeout rate.
What Will the Rotation Look Like When Everyone’s Healthy?
Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani are all currently out of the rotation with injury, but when they return, the Dodgers’ rotation is full of All-Stars and Cy Young Winners. Skubal and Yamamoto are sure to remain in the rotation, and Snell, Glasnow and Ohtani are all sure to return to their spots as well.
The final spot in the Dodgers’ six-man rotation is up for grabs, with Wrobleski and Sasaki as the likely players to grab the spot. Come the postseason, the Dodgers are sure to shave their rotation down to four players.
What Will the Rotation Look Like in the Playoffs?
With just four players in the rotation last year, the Dodgers used Snell, Glasnow, Yamamoto and Ohtani, with Sasaki and Sheehan transitioning to roles in the bullpen. Skubal is sure to take one of their spots, with the most likely answer being Glasnow due to his injury struggles this season. Glasnow came out of the bullpen a few times last postseason, and performed well throughout October.
Skubal is a clear boost to the Dodgers’ rotation—as he would be to any team’s—and he is sure to make a difference through the remainder of the season, when the Dodgers lose control of him.
What do you think about the Dodgers’ signing of Tarik Skubal?
