Editorials

Dodgers News: Troy Tulowitzki Sees Improved Brandon McCarthy

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time in three starts this season, Brandon McCarthy turned in a scoreless effort in what was his best outing with the Los Angeles Dodgers to date. The right-hander recorded six strikeouts and didn’t allow a home run, which was a first in 2015.

Some McCarthy’s success on Sunday can be tied to increased velocity, which Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said wasn’t present last season, according to Nick Groke of The Denver Post:



He was a lot better,” Troy Tulowitzki said of McCarthy. “Take a look at his velocity when we faced him last year in Arizona. He was 90-91. Today, he was 95. He’s a completely different pitcher.”

Along with keeping the ball inside the park, McCarthy only issued two walks and allowed three hits Sunday. The Rockies didn’t have a runner advance further than first base until the sixth inning when Rafael Ynoa drew a walk and took third on Charlie Blackmon’s single in a hit-and-run.

At the time, the Rockies only trailed the Dodgers by two runs with Tulowitzki representing the go-ahead run at the plate. McCarthy won the battle as he got the shortstop to hit back to the box, which started a 1-6-3 inning-ending double play.

McCarthy’s performance helped propel the Dodgers to their seventh straight win and back-to-back three-game series sweeps. He now has 25 strikeouts to just three walks on the season, but has also given up six home runs — second-most in the Majors.

Albeit the season is still in its infancy, the Dodgers signing of the 31 year old thus far appears to have been a sound decision. McCarthy ranks second on the team with 18.0 innings pitched and the 25 strikeouts, and is second among starting pitchers with a 1.17 WHIP.

[divide]

Adrian Gonzalez Discusses Hitting


Please enable Javascript to watch this video

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

6 Comments

  1. His strike out totals re-inforce the idea he is a different pitcher. 25 Ks and 3 walks in 18 innings, who expected that? I guess we’ll see if he can keep it going.

    1. I agree Troy Tulo mentioned the increased velocity from 90 to 95 which is a big jump. Now if he can just keep the ball out of the center of the plate he will be fine. I am sure his first couple of starts he was nervous and trying too hard. He knows the media has said his contract was too long and too much. It is human nature to press to attempt to prove them wrong. If he and Anderson can pitch to their potential and stay healthy the Dodgers have a very good chance at reaching the Playoffs and hopefully the WS. Read an article that says Beachy may be ready in June so help is on the way. IF Beachy comes back and is able to reach his potential we are in great shape.

      1. I think we are in great shape no matter what. All their AAA pitchers are off to dominating starts, and if something happens, they have trading chips and money resources to fix any problem.

        1. You are right. Bolsinger won pitcher of the week at Okie City he has pitched 11 innings and not allowed a run is 2-0. Do you think Urias and Holmes are 2 years away? I see Urias won pitcher of the week in AA Tulsa with unreal stats. It may be hard to keep him down. I think Holmes may need 2 years. there are a couple of others coming fast and it continues to be reported that the Team is active bidding on some of the young Cuban pitchers and position players. I would say the team is setting up to stock from the farm make tons of money but more importantly to the fans have a consistent winner. All good stuff. I really like that they did not panic when Jansen, League and Ryu went down. Other teams might have made a very bad trade to attempt to fill the gap. These guys are focused to the future. Very smart.

          1. ETA for Urias, to me, seems 2016. Holmes will take longer, I doubt before 2018. Chris Anderson is off to a great start in AA, and may be a serious prospect for the rotation in a year or two. And yes, the word on the street has them gearing up for some more high end international players in the next signing period in July. They are going for it full tilt, I love it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button