Pitching – Page 3 – Dodger Thoughts

By Jon Weisman

Julio Urías is officially scheduled to take the mound at Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday and become the youngest starting pitcher in MLB playoff history.

At 20 years and 68 days for Game 4, Urías will break the record held by Kansas City’s Bret Saberhagen (1984 ALCS Game 2) by 107 days.

Saberhagen received a no-decision after allowing two earned runs in eight innings. Five times has a 20-year-old starting pitcher won a playoff game: Bullet Joe Bush (1913 World Series Game 3), Jim Palmer (1966 World Series Game 2) and Fernando Valenzuela (1981 NLDS Game 4, NLCS Game 5 and World Series Game 3).

Urías will be starting on the 35th anniversary of the day his iconic predecessor, Valenzuela, pitched 8 2/3 innings the day the Dodgers clinched the ’81 NL pennant. Urías said the waiting between appearances — he has only pitched in one game this month — has not made him too antsy.

“It’s the playoffs, so I have to be ready,” Urías said this afternoon, shortly before the announcement was made official by his manager, Dave Roberts. “If before, I knew I had to give my best, I know that now I have to give even more, because whatever I do, if I make a mistake it could cost us a big game.

“You just have to be prepared when you’re called upon. Yeah, you feel anxious and sometimes you feel the pressure, but that’s something you have to learn how to deal with.”

Dodgers will attack NLDS Game 5 inning by inning

By Jon Weisman

On October 13, 2016

In Bullpen, Pitching, Postseason

Rich Hill (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

What’s the ideal scenario for the Dodgers at Washington tonight in the deciding game of the National League Division Series?

Pretty simply: An early lead, six or seven combined innings from Rich Hill (officially announced as today’s starting pitcher) and Julio Urías, and matchups from the set-up men before Kenley Jansen sends Los Angeles to Wrigley Field.

It’s hardly implausible, given that the Dodgers scored four runs in the first three innings against Nationals starter Max Scherzer in Game 1. Then there’s the potential of Hill and Urías.

McCarthy, like Anderson, getting a look out of bullpen

By Jon Weisman

On September 30, 2016

In Pitching, Pregame

Dodgers at Giants, 7:15 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carlos Ruiz, C
Rob Segedin, 1B
Kiké Hernández, CF
Charlie Culberson, 2B
Rich Hill, P

By Jon Weisman

Like Brett Anderson did on Thursday, Brandon McCarthy is expected to pitch out of the bullpen for the Dodgers when they open their season-ending series at San Francisco tonight.

The relief appearances by Anderson (2 1/3 innings, five hits, two strikeouts) and McCarthy keep alive the chances that either could be added to the Dodger playoff pitching staff.

“We wanted to get a different look from Brett, for him to come out of the pen — it’s something he’s really not accustomed to,” Dave Roberts said after Thursday’s game, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Times. “His velocity was up. He was victim to some soft-contact hits, but his breaking ball was good. For Brett to come in … it was a positive outing for him.”

The Dodger playoff bullpen was already overflowing with candidates before Anderson and McCarthy slid from starter campaigns into the relief race, essentially trading with Julio Urías, who struck out five Thursday in three shutout innings of what appears to have been a tuneup to start Game 4 of the National League Division Series.

Despite division delay, Dodgers delight in Kershaw

By Jon Weisman

On September 24, 2016

In Pitching

#ITFDB

A post shared by Los Angeles Dodgers (@dodgers) on Sep 24, 2016 at 6:11pm PDT

By Jon Weisman

San Francisco hung on for a 9-6 victory over San Diego, and the Dodgers put the bubbly away for at least another day.

But after his seven shutout innings in their 14-1 victory tonight, they could break it out just to celebrate this little fact: Heading into the playoffs, Clayton Kershaw is on a roll.

With 20 pitchers (and counting) on September roster, Dodger staff is both ridiculous and sublime

By Jon Weisman

On September 22, 2016

In Pitching, Pregame

Alex Wood, the 21st pitcher the Dodgers have used this month, pitched a perfect inning Wednesday in his return from the disabled list.

Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Andrew Toles, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrian González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Brett Anderson, P

By Jon Weisman

When Brett Anderson is activated from the disabled list today, he will become the 20th pitcher on the Dodgers’ active roster. On Friday, Scott Kazmir will give them blackjack. (I know, it’s not really blackjack if you need more than two cards, but Clayton Kershaw’s still an ace — so there.)

Counting Casey Fien and Bud Norris, who are no longer on the 40-man squad, the Dodgers this month will have used 23 pitchers by September 23.

Depth propels Dodger pitching to the best in MLB in September

By Jon Weisman

On September 13, 2016

In Bullpen, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

All summer long, it seemed likely that once rosters expanded in September, the Dodgers would be poised to take advantage thanks to their pitching depth.

That’s exactly what has happened.

Los Angeles has played 10 games in September so far, and already the Dodgers have used seven starting pitchers. With Julio Urías pitching tonight, seven of the first 11 starts this month will have gone to pitchers (Urías, Jose De León and Brock Stewart) who began the season in the minors or to a pitcher (Rich Hill) who was acquired in exchange for minor-leaguers.

As for the 13-man bullpen, no reliever has thrown more than Joe Blanton’s 4 2/3 innings (spread over 13 days), and only one is averaging above 1.0 innings per appearance: Pedro Baez, who has 3 2/3 innings in three games. Blanton and Jesse Chavez lead Dodger relievers with 19 batters faced in the 10 games.

Even with Dave Roberts numerous visits to the mound, on only four occasions has a Dodger reliever worked back-to-back days this month: September 2-3 (Blanton and Kenley Jansen) and September 6-7 (Baez and Jansen).

The results? Dodger pitchers have a 2.15 ERA in September, with a 0.91 WHIP, 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings and a 4.4 strikeout-walk ratio (equivalent to Miami’s Jose Fernandez). Opponents are hitting .183/.250/.266 this month.

Every single one of those stats leads the Major Leagues, except for on-base percentage, which is second to Boston. No Dodger opponent has scored more than four runs in a September game so far.

Dodgers find their thrill in Richard Joseph Hill

By Jon Weisman

On August 24, 2016

In Pitching, Postgame

[mlbvideo id=”1092009583″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

By Jon Weisman

Sweetly, sometimes softly, Rich Hill mixed his pitches, his curveball surveying the scenic route, his fastball sufficiently startling.

And a team starved for starting pitching suddenly has had two superb outings this week from left-handers.

With six shutout innings, Hill duplicated the Sunday feat of Julio Urías — not to mention Hill’s only previous appearance at Dodger Stadium, in 2007 — and the Dodgers edged the San Francisco Giants, 1-0.

Scott Kazmir to see doctor in latest pitching twist

By Jon Weisman

On August 22, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

After retiring only seven batters in the Dodgers’ 18-9 victory today at Cincinnati, Scott Kazmir is scheduled to see a doctor on Tuesday, though the initial report of an MRI, as Cody Pace of MLB.com described, has been revised.

“Scott is fighting some physical things with his body,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s doing what he can, but when your body doesn’t feel right, mechanically, it affects mechanics. He knows he wants to go out there and go deeper in a game. When you’ve got a 6-1 lead, he wants the decision, for himself, for the team. When you’re physically limited and you can’t execute, he’s frustrated.”

Kazmir is dealing with some stiffness in his neck and his back, something he said that he’s been dealing with “for years.” The problem with his neck in particular has messed with Kazmir’s mechanics, not allowing him to get his head toward the catcher properly and resulting in him flying open. …

… “No matter what happens, we’ve gotten this far,” Kazmir said. “I know how my body works. If we have some type of imaging, whatever happens, I’ll strengthen it up and I’ll continue to do what I do.”

Kazmir’s next start would theoretically be Saturday against the Cubs. Between now and then, about the only sure thing for the Dodgers is that Kenta Maeda will take the mound Tuesday against the Giants. Rich Hill remains on track to start Wednesday, and then the bigger question marks arise.

Clayton Kershaw dropping out of ERA lead, but comeback continues

By Jon Weisman

On August 20, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Pregame

Clayton Kershaw on July 5. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Dodgers at Reds, 4:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, LF
Kiké Hernández, 2B
Adrián González, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Rob Segedin, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Chris Taylor, SS
Brett Anderson, P

By Jon Weisman

Today, the Dodgers play their 122nd game of the season. Clayton Kershaw remains stuck on 121 innings.

That means, for the first time since the season began — and hopefully only for the time being — Kershaw will no longer qualify for the MLB lead in such stats in ERA (1.79) and strikeout/walk ratio (16.1, a big-league record pace).

The chances of Kershaw compiling 41 more innings before the season ends October 2, in order to re-qualify, have dimmed. However, the hope that he does return to contribute sometime in September continues to grow, thanks to what looks to have been a successful bullpen session today in Cincinnati.

Kershaw's bullpen has ended. He appeared to be laughing walking off the field, and, most importantly, wasn't holding his back in agony.

— Cody Pace (@CodyPace) August 20, 2016

Rich Hill throws 75 pitches in simulated game

By Jon Weisman

On August 19, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

Clayton Kershaw, Scott Kazmir and Rich Hill jog during batting practice August 9. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

Rich Hill threw 75 pitches in a simulated game Thursday at Camelback Ranch that “went well,” according to Dodger manager Dave Roberts, and is likely to start for the Dodgers in their August-23-25 series against San Francisco.

Roberts also said that Julio Urías will make a spot start Sunday, with Kenta Maeda getting extra rest and going either Monday in Cincinnati or Tuesday against the Giants. Roberts noted that the team has enough bullpen coverage to avoid using Urías tonight (behind Bud Norris) or Saturday (behind Brett Anderson), even if either makes an early exit.

Obviously, never say never — you never know when an 18-inning game is around the corner — but that’s the plan.

Clayton Kershaw threw on flat ground today in advance of his scheduled bullpen session Saturday, consisting of 20-25 pitches. Kershaw is then penciled in to follow that with a 40-45 pitch session Tuesday. Roberts told reporters that Kershaw was in “good spirits.”

Clayton Kershaw eyeing Saturday bullpen session

By Jon Weisman

On August 18, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

Some quick Dodger pitching updates for before the game:

Clayton Kershaw is expected to meet the Dodgers in Cincinnati, where he will throw off flat ground Friday with a tentative bullpen session scheduled for Saturday.
Bud Norris remains scheduled to be activated from the disabled list Friday, with Brett Anderson starting Saturday.
Lefty reliever Adam Liberatore is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday as well, meaning the Dodgers would have to make two roster moves in the next 24 hours.
Kenta Maeda, whose next turn in the rotation would be Sunday, might get extra rest, with the Dodgers turning to an in-house spot starter in that case.
Rich Hill is pitching a simulated game at Camelback Ranch tonight.
Hyun-Jin Ryu is rehabbing but has not picked up a baseball. He is not expected to return for the Dodgers in 2016.

The Johnny Wholestaff Dodgers: Just get the outs

By Jon Weisman

On August 16, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Status report

By Jon Weisman

The 1916 National League champion Brooklyn Superbas used 10 pitchers to throw their 1,427 1/3 innings.

The 2016 Los Angeles Dodgers used 15 pitchers to throw 54 innings last week.

Some people — even those under the age of 100, have noticed the difference.

Brett Anderson to make 2016 debut Sunday

By Jon Weisman

On August 12, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Uncategorized

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Brett Anderson’s beard has gotten a lot longer since you last saw him in a big-league game. But his wait has gotten a lot shorter.

Two games from now, Anderson will make his first official start of 2016, taking the mound in the Dodgers’ series finale Sunday against the Pirates.

“I’m excited for Brett — it’s been a long road for him,” Dave Roberts said. “So to get him back, I think is obviously a good thing for us.

Sidelined by March back surgery, Anderson pitched a career-high 180 1/3 innings in 2015 with a 3.69 ERA. He made 18 quality starts last season and pitched at least five innings in 26 out of 31 games.

Anderson will follow Brandon McCarthy, who worked through some mechanical issues in two bullpen sessions this week and will make his scheduled start on Saturday.

“Just getting the natural feel back,” McCarthy said. “It felt very normal this week. … It wasn’t anything huge, but got to see what that leads to.

“A couple of things get off base and you feel screwy, and then it turns into you do’t believe you can execute something because your body’s not in position to allow you to execute it, so it just kinds of compounds upon itself. It feels like something’s been found now, so just making sure that’s it. It’s a very basic thing, but it’s something you can get away from quickly.”

Kershaw, Kazmir, Maeda discuss youth pitching

By Jon Weisman

On August 11, 2016

In Pitching, Publications

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Pitching workloads are a big deal in the Major Leagues. They’re an even bigger deal in youth baseball, though there’s still no consensus among parents, coaches or anyone else about what’s right and what’s wrong.

In a recent issue of Dodger Insider magazine, writer Chris Gigley asked Dodger starters Clayton Kershaw, Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda for their thoughts. One of Kershaw’s big points was the value of diverse activities.

“I played football and basketball up until my freshman year in high school,” said Kershaw, whom the Dodgers drafted in 2006 out of Highland Park High School just outside Dallas. “I definitely think it’s important to play other sports when you’re young.”

Read the entire story by clicking here.

Beginning this year, the Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand plus one in October, 13 issues total. It is distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. Dodger Insider magazine includes news, features, analysis, photos, games, stadium information and more. Fans who still wish to subscribe can do so at dodgers.com/magazine.

Dodger rotation is day to day, but aren’t we all

By Jon Weisman

On August 10, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Pregame

Phillies at Dodgers, 12:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Josh Reddick, RF
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Ross Stripling will start Friday for the Dodgers in their series opener against Pittsburgh, Dave Roberts said before today’s series finale against Philadelphia.

Rich Hill is being given more time to resolve his blister issues. Stripling, who threw five shutout innings Sunday against Boston, will be pitching on four days’ rest.

The Dodgers remain undecided for their weekend starters against the Pirates. Brandon McCarthy is the top choice for Saturday, but the Dodgers are holding off until after a scheduled Thursday bullpen session before making it official. If not, Julio Urías would be the most likely replacement (on four days’ rest).

Brett Anderson could make his first start of the season for the Dodgers as soon as Sunday, five days after his most recent rehab start. Otherwise, Kenta Maeda would be lined up to pitch the homestand finale on four days’ rest.

Good morning. Since the All-Star Break, the Dodgers lead MLB with an .800 OPS and 5.4 runs per game.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 10, 2016

In lineup news …

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Category: Pitching (Page 3 of 16)

Julio Urías to start NLCS Game 4 — youngest postseason starting pitcher ever

Dodgers will attack NLDS Game 5 inning by inning

McCarthy, like Anderson, getting a look out of bullpen

Despite division delay, Dodgers delight in Kershaw

With 20 pitchers (and counting) on September roster, Dodger staff is both ridiculous and sublime

Depth propels Dodger pitching to the best in MLB in September

Dodgers find their thrill in Richard Joseph Hill

Scott Kazmir to see doctor in latest pitching twist

Clayton Kershaw dropping out of ERA lead, but comeback continues

Rich Hill throws 75 pitches in simulated game

Clayton Kershaw eyeing Saturday bullpen session

The Johnny Wholestaff Dodgers: Just get the outs

Brett Anderson to make 2016 debut Sunday

Kershaw, Kazmir, Maeda discuss youth pitching

Dodger rotation is day to day, but aren’t we all

Buy ‘The Catch: A novel’

Buy ‘Brothers in Arms’

‘Brothers in Arms’ coverage

Instagram

Twitter

Recent posts

Other writing by Jon

Archives

Commenting guidelines

Attendance