Editorials

Dodgers News: Brandon Beachy Trusts His Stuff; Plans To Improve

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When Brandon Beachy took the hill for the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 11, it was his first time pitching in a big league game since 2013. Thanks to multiple Tommy John surgeries, Beachy has had to deal with plenty of frustration in his career.

On Monday, he faced his former team, the Atlanta Braves, hopeful of staying in the game longer than his previous outing of four innings. However, it would not be in the cards as he was pinch hit for in the top of the fifth inning after being tagged for four runs on five hits and five walks, including a two-run home run in the bottom of the first.



Following the game, a Frustrated Beachy stated that he is determined to make his next start despite knowing that a change could be in place, via Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times:

I have to,” he said. “I try not to think about that as much as I can,” he said. “It’s obviously back there.”

Unfortunately, Beachy may not make that next start on Saturday, as he was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday in order to clear a spot for outfielder Carl Crawford. It appears the Dodgers will give their right-hander more time in the minors to get his mechanics and location under control.

Ground ball pitchers typically have a lower ERA, but in his two starts, Beachy has induced just 26.9% ground balls per ball in play and 30.8% line drives. This has resulted in an opponents BABIP of .333 and inflating his FIP to 5.69. This is due to balls being left up in the zone, possibly due to rust from not pitching in so long.

Although he has been hit hard, Beachy knows that he has the ability to be a starting pitcher:

The stuff’s there,” Beachy said. “The stuff feels good. It’s just a matter of executing. I have to get better. I plan to do that.”

The Dodgers are still searching for another starter, maybe two, as 38 games have been decided by the bullpen, the most of any team in the Majors, and as the trade deadline rapidly approaches.

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