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Dodgers Preview 2017: The Pitching Rotation

By Evan Lovett

Oct 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning during game four of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias throws against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning during game four of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 26, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (44) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

The Change Of Pace

One year removed from being out of professional baseball, Rich Hill struck gold with a $48 million, 3-year deal from the Dodgers after dominating hitters with his baffling array of off-speed pitches in 2016.

He threw the deuce on more than half of his pitches, an extremely unorthodox approach, and from a variety of angles. He compiled a 1.83 ERA in six starts with the Dodgers and a 2.12 ERA in his 20 starts (Oakland Athletics), and wowed the organization enough to hand him the reins as the off-set to Kershaw in the starting rotation.

He is heady, experienced and analytical, and if he can stave off the blisters that waylaid him throughout much of 2016, the change of pace he provides will be an elixir for a team that was searching for a reliable number two starter for most of last season.

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