The Los Angeles Dodgers will win the NL Pennant — here’s why
By Jason Reed
2. The Los Angeles Dodgers playoff rotation is going to be scary
The Los Angeles Dodgers have arguably the best four-man rotation in the entire postseason which is headlined by two great starters that are going to put the Dodgers in a situation to win every single game.
Of course, there is Clayton Kershaw, who has been hit with some bad postseason appearances and luck in the past but was actually good last season despite what the numbers may suggest on the surface.
Behind him is rookie Walker Buehler, who may not have the postseason experience but has shown that he gets up for big games and has an electric fastball and curveball that gets batters out. Some may argue that Rich Hill deserves the second game because of experience but I think the Dodgers will mix the rotation at the top from a lefty to a righty.
Then there is Rich Hill, who we mentioned, who always comes through in big games and will keep the Dodgers in it. While he is susceptible to the occasional home run, overall, he is as good of a third arm that you can get.
Then there is Hyun-Jin Ryu, who very well could be the difference maker in these playoff series. Ryu has been exceptional when he is healthy this season, pitching to a 2.00 ERA in 76.1 innings.
When he is hot, Ryu guarantees six to seven great innings of work. Even his off days are not terrible as he has allowed more than three runs in just one game this season. Four of the five runs in that start were unearned.
Ryu definitely has the talent. It is just a matter of if he can perform in the big moment. Ryu has not pitched in the postseason since 2014, however, he does hold a 2.81 ERA in 16 innings.