Predicting how the Dodgers pitching rotation will look in 2018
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Dodgers had one of the best pitching rotations in baseball in 2017. This will be no different for the Dodgers in 2018.
If one thing has been constant for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their five-year reign atop the NL West it has been the great production from the pitching staff. Outside of a few bad bullpens, the overall product of the pitching staff has been a consistent placeholder atop the MLB’s best. This, of course, is thanks to pitching coach Rick Honeycutt.
The best pitcher on the planet, Clayton Kershaw, has something to do with that as well. With Kershaw leading the way, the Dodgers have been able to build staffs of varying degree. All have been successful. The best one-two combo the Dodgers had was with Zack Greinke.
After his departure in 2016, the Dodgers had to turn to Japanese signing Kenta Maeda to carry the load as the second starter. He was great early on, but pitchers quickly figured him out and returned him to league average. Fatigued at the end of the season, Maeda burned out.
Last season was particularly interesting for the Dodgers. Alex Wood stepped up as a huge asset and carried the Dodgers alongside Kershaw. Wood was named an all-star, started the season with an 11-win unbeaten streak and finished the year with a 16-3 record and 2.72 ERA.
2018 will be no different for the Dodgers. Here is how the Dodgers pitching staff is shaping up to be.