Dodgers News: Don Mattingly No Longer Surprised By Mike Bolsinger

Mike Bolsinger was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks last November in exchange for cash considerations. Although the right-hander did not fare well with the Diamondbacks, he has found a home in Los Angeles as he’s more than capitalized on the opportunity presented to him.

Last season, Bolsinger was tagged for 32 runs in 52.1 innings, resulting in a 5.50 ERA over nine starts (10 appearances). Through seven starts with the Dodgers this season, he resembles nothing of that same pitcher who struggled and was eventually designated for assignment.

After another solid outing Monday night to pick up his fourth win, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly expressed little surprise with Bolsinger’s latest start. “At this point it’s the same outing every time,” Mattingly said. “He’s keeping us in the game. Change speed with the breaking ball, he threw more strikes with the fastball. We were able to give him a little cushion tonight.”

Bolsinger has had just one game of allowing more than two runs and his only loss came against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 29. It was a night the Dodger bats were unable to do much of anything and the 27 year old was handed a tough-luck loss after giving up just two runs on two hits in six innings.

Facing his former team on Monday for the first time, Boslinger was perfect through three innings. The nine consecutive batters he retired improved his streak to 32 straight at home, which was the best mark since Jerry Reuss in 1982. Bolsinger went on to allow two runs on three hits over seven innings in a breeze of a win for the Dodgers.

The dominant home outing was in line with what Bolsinger has already turned in this season. He’s allowed just 12 hits in 94 batters faced, which correlates to a 0.68 WHIP at Dodger Stadium. Additionally, Bolsinger’s ERA+ (ERA adjusted for park and league where 100 is average and lower is better) is just 56; comparable to Zack Greinke’s 52.

While the Dodgers presumably will look to add a pitcher from outside the organization at some point this season, Bolsinger has thus far been key to stabilizing a rotation that was once in a bit of a tailspin.

Mike Bolsinger After Win Over Diamondbacks