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Dodgers Rumors: Three keys to outlast the Rockies and Diamondbacks

By Jason Reed

Jun 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Enrique Hernandez (14) is congratulated by third base coach Chris Woodward (45) after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Enrique Hernandez (14) is congratulated by third base coach Chris Woodward (45) after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dodgers Rumors – Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dodgers Rumors – Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

1. The Dodgers pitching staff

The one thing the Los Angeles Dodgers have going for them is their pitching staff, and it needs to continue to be great for the team to bring home their fifth consecutive league title. The Dodgers lead all of baseball in WAR, according to Fangraphs, putting up an 11.0 mark. The team also ranks first in ERA and first in WHIP, something that must continue to be successful.

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Not only has the starting rotation been great, but the bullpen has been absolutely outstanding. The Dodgers bullpen has the second lowest ERA in baseball, putting up a 2.45 mark. If you take away the nine-run eighth inning meltdown against the Diamondbacks the Dodgers would have exactly a 2.00 ERA, good enough for the best in baseball.

However, the Dodgers do have some competition in the Arizona Diamondbacks. They rank second in WAR (9.3) and fourth in ERA (3.66). The Rockies have done well also, ranking seventh in WAR (8.2) and tenth in ERA (4.01).

While Arizona and Colorado have both pitched very respectively, it is more than evident that the Dodgers have the far superior pitching staff. Led by Clayton Kershaw, a thriving Alex Wood, and a solid Brandon McCarthy, this staff is special. Even at their worst, which this season has been Kenta Maeda and Hyun-Jin Ryu, they still get consistent production.

It may not be great production, but it is consistent. The last several years the Dodgers have ridden the coattails of their pitching staff, and this year will be no different.

Next: Pitching targets for the Dodgers

Overall, the Dodgers pitching performance will be the biggest driving factor in returning to the postseason. The team is not going to outslug the Rockies, and as long as they keep hitting better than the Diamondbacks, Los Angeles should have no problem outlasting these teams.

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