The Los Angeles Dodgers come into each season with competitive expectations.
This year is no different as they hope to return to the World Series for the first time since 2020.
Although the Dodgers are off to a good start this year, they still have a few concerns.
The most interesting thing is their origin.
LA knew they wouldn’t be without ace Walker Buehler this season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
But, the rest of the crew members who were on board did not.
Their starters are struggling to get into the game, which affects their bullpen.
According to Fabian Ardaya, the Dodgers have never had a start go more than five innings in their last nine games.
Innings pitched from the Dodgers’ starts over the last nine games, including tonight:
4
3.2
5
5
3
1
4
4
5– Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 23, 2023
That’s rare and concerning down the stretch for the Dodgers, who aren’t getting any length from their starters.
Despite that, LA is in first place in the NL West.
However, if they want to make another run at the World Series they need their starters to step up.
Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May are the only two starters with ERAs under four.
Also, they didn’t get what they expected from free agent Noah Syndergaard.
The hard-hitting righty has thrown 41.1 innings in nine starts and has a 5.88 ERA.
L.A. may be looking to increase their upside at the trade deadline.
They have always been aggressive enough to make the right moves to win—now.
It will be interesting to see what players they are targeting as we head into the season.