Dodgers News: Julio Urias Place in Rotation Unclear Despite Strong Performance vs. Reds
The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a win on Sunday and with a San Francisco Giants loss hold the No. 1 spot in the NL West. The Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-0, breaking their 3-game losing streak, behind a strong performance by pitcher Julio Urias.
The left-hander they called “The Teenager” turned 20-years-old last week and looked like a veteran as he threw six scoreless innings and six strikeouts with 97 pitches. Urias allowed six hits and didn’t allow a single walk or run.
Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Says He Feels 100 Percent After Bullpen Session | VIDEOEl sinaloense @theteenager7 regaló cátedra de pitcheo vs #reds #6INN #0R #6K #Dodgers ???? pic.twitter.com/FvnNkDs87H
— Playball Mx (@Playball_MX) August 21, 2016
After closing out their series vs. the Reds the Dodgers will begin a 3-game series vs. the Giants. Kenta Maeda will get the start in the series opener, with Rich Hill expected to get his debut for the Dodgers on Wednesday. Following the series, the Dodgers will face the Chicago Cubs and it’s unclear if Urias will be an option.
“We haven’t made that decision yet,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said following the Dodgers win. “We’ll see … Julio has passed every test we’ve put in front of him.”
Urias was more than impressive on Sunday and added to an already interesting stat line, which was compiled by Dodgers.com writer Cary Osborne.
“Since June 7 (coming after his first two Major League starts), Urias has a 3.10 ERA in 49 1/3 innings (11 games). Among National League pitchers who have pitched at least 45 innings since that date, Urías is tied for 10th in ERA.
In his nine starts during that time frame, he has a 2.89 ERA in 43 2/3 innings. The Dodgers are 8-1 in those games. He has now gone seven starts without allowing a home run.”
Shutting. It. Down. ? pic.twitter.com/ft3kg9VEgn
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2016
During Sunday’s game, Urias retired 10 Reds players in a row. In the win Urias became the 4th Dodger 20 or younger, since Fernando Valenzuela in 1981, to win three straight appearances.
Julio Urias has the 3rd highest strikeout rate in MLB history among teenage pitchers with at least 50 IP in a single season.
— ?????? ????? (@FlyByKnite) August 21, 2016
May 23 was last time Dodgers got a complete game shutout (Kershaw). In 4 shutouts since, they used a combined 16 pitchers in those games.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 21, 2016
Julio Urias is now tied for the big league lead with 5 pickoffs (CIN Tony Cingrani, MIL Jimmy Nelson, KC Danny Duffy)
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 21, 2016
With Brett Anderson struggling to stay healthy and Clayton Kershaw working hard to get back to full health, Urias might be the best option for L.A.
Editorial: The Hot Corner, and Why the Dodgers Should Open Up Their Wallet for Justin Turner
Urias should be worried with future Hall of Famers Brett Anderson and Bud Norris ahead of him in the rotation.