Dodgers Rumors: Ranking Each Starting Pitcher’s April Performance

3. Alex Wood

April Stats: 1-0, 19.2 IP, 2.29 ERA, 19 K’s

I have been saying it for as long as I can remember – Alex Wood has the potential to be a star and should have made the Dodgers rotation on Opening Day. Granted, I believed that he should have made it over the number two guy on this list, but he should have made it nonetheless. Wood has something special that I feel like a lot of people are missing.

Wood thrived in April, striking out as many batters as innings pitched and having a sub-three ERA. While his three starts and two bullpen appearances came at limited innings, he is thriving in the leash he is given. Sure, four of his five appearances he has pitched under five innings, but outside of a four-run blunder against Arizona, he has only let up one run.

The best thing the Dodgers can do is utilize Wood where he is best – at Dodger Stadium. Wood owns a 6-2 record with 83.0 innings pitched, a 1.63 ERA, and 72 strikeouts in his career at Chavez Ravine. Wood is nearly untouchable when pitching at home, and if the Dodgers can be strategic about it, they could maximize their staff.

When Rich Hill comes back, or if they keep Urias up, they could take an unorthodox approach to the way they manage things. The team could essentially run a regular five-man rotation, however on every home stand throw in Alex Wood to give the other guys additional rest.

While that is highly unlikely, it would maximize the talent they have and give guys the rest they need. Regardless, Alex Wood has something special and at only 26 years old he is only getting better.