Dodgers: Dave Roberts Sets Rotation With Alex Wood Going to the Bullpen
Dodgers fans will finally be getting their wish of keeping Tony Gonsolin in the starting rotation. After trading away Ross Stripling, Dave Roberts had a little bit of room to move things around and shake up the starting staff.
He announced to Dodgers media on Tuesday that he indeed had set his starting rotation moving forward. It will be(in no particular order) Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin. Buehler is expected to be activated for his start tomorrow.
Dave Roberts said Kershaw, Buehler, Julio, Dustin, and Tony will be the five guys for the year.
In no particular order.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) September 1, 2020
That rotation is the one most fans have been clamoring for, but it does come with at least one concern. Alex Wood is expected to come off of the IL today, but his starting position appears to have been filled. Roberts also mentioned that Wood is moving into the Dodgers bullpen to provide depth for the time being.
Gonsolin was the guy that Dodgers fans were really hoping would get an opportunity to spend more time at the big league level. He started the year not allowing a run in his first three starts of the year. After allowing 1 to the Rangers, his ERA now sits at a ridiculous 0.51 ERA.
The Dodgers found themselves in a situation where Ross Stripling struggling made it a little bit easier to move Tony to the rotation. Unfortunately for Ross, that ended up with him being traded to Toronto. Alex Wood will now be one of the guys that can provide length behind starters after making just one start this season. Wood has been sidelined with shoulder inflammation since July.
The Dodgers now have Julio Urias as the weakest link in their starting rotation, and he hasn’t found his groove quite yet. Look for the rotation to remain that way barring any injuries.
Dodgers: Andrew Friedman Explains His Motivation For Trading Ross Stripling
Thank you Dave Roberts!
Gonsolin deserves to be a fixture in the starting rotation. He had a rough 3rd inning in his last start and was pulled early. But he actually showed me something by by getting out of a bases loaded jam while only giving up one run (the only run he has given up all season). This showed that he can maintain his maintain his composure.
Hated to see Stripling go, but he wasn’t pitching well, and will have more opportunities to be a regular starter now. I wish him the best.
Wood was a questionable pick up last off-season. He should make relief appearances to show where he is at, and whether or not he can contribute, given that the bullpen is loaded with performers, in addition to the starting rotation.
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Urias is the iffiest starter in this rotation. His fastball is off 2 or 3 mph as compared to prior years. In the postseason he should transition to the bullpen, where he did well last year, and fits nicely into a long releiver role. I am not convinced that he is 100% healthy, but if he’s not injured let him occupy the last spot in the rotation to try to figure things out.
Betts in the lead off spot and Gonsolin in the rotation! This may be the year where Roberts decisions don’t eliminate the Dodgers. Hallelujah.
Thanks Friedman for allowing Roberts to make an intelligent move
Hey Don, Gonsolin now needs to be allowed to show he can go more than 3 or 4 innings. WSS if this rotation can handle the PS pressure. Yeaj I do get what ya said as far as Roberts goes.
Well, wood didn’t come out blazing and then gets hurt so it fine that he goes to the bullpen. He may need some practice and who knows he may return to his old form and get a chance to be in the starting line up.
Urias threw pretty dam good in his win Monday he is finding that his curve ball is a good pitch to throw in serious situations it has a good break and keeps hitters off balance fast ball also looked good Gonsolin will be fine he and May will be killers in that wonderful staff.
Definitely time to take the training wheels off the youngsters and see how this team motors ahead. But it leaves the Dodgers one injury (Kershaw or Buehler) away from heading into the post season with a scarily untested rotation.
Many here would agree as far as the PS goes. Glad to see Gonsolin and May in rotation but another established experienced starter might have been a good idea. I wonder what the Rangers asking price for Lynn was.