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Los Angeles Dodgers: World Series Game 2 pitching preview

By Jason Reed

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 19: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning in Game Six of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 19, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 19: Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning in Game Six of the National League Championship Series at Miller Park on October 19, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers /

Hyun-Jin Ryu:

  • Regular season stats: 15 starts, 82.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.008 WHIP, 89 Ks
  • Postseason stats: 3 starts, 14.1 IP, 4.40 ERA, 1.396 WHIP, 15 Ks

Hyun-Jin Ryu was a huge addition to the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation late in the year. Ryu is one of the key components to the team’s playoff push in September and was arguably the team’s best pitcher heading into the postseason.

That, and Dave Roberts wanting to keep him and Clayton Kershaw on the same amount of rest, lead to Ryu being the Game 1 starter in the NLDS. That worked out great for Ryu, who spun seven scoreless innings against the Braves, allowing just four hits and striking out eight.

Ryu was not as good in the NLCS. In two starts, Ryu threw a combined seven and one-third innings. In Game 2, he was pulled in favor of Ryan Madson in the fifth inning. Madson bailed Ryu out, giving him a decent four and one-third inning with just two runs allowed.

It was his start in Game 6 that is worrisome for the World Series. Ryu allowed a big four-run first inning to the Brewers after David Freese hit a leadoff home run in the top half. Ryu nearly skated out of danger and likely would have tossed a gem if he did. Instead, the southpaw threw just three innings, allowing seven hits and five runs.

The tale of the tape for Ryu is that he is a completely different pitcher on the road than he is at home. During the regular season, Ryu had a 1.15 ERA at Dodger Stadium while owning a 3.58 ERA on the road. A 3.58 ERA is not terrible by any stretch but is a noticeable difference.

It is all about run support for Ryu. If the Dodgers can get out to an early lead, even if it is only two runs, his chances of pitching a great game increase. If Ryu can get through the order a first time without allowing a run, and the Dodgers have a three-run lead by the fourth inning, it’ll be very hard for the Red Sox to recover.

Ryu had a 1.24 ERA with 3-5 runs of support and a 1.91 ERA with six or more runs of support this season. When his offense gave him two runs or fewer of support, his ERA climbed all the way to 5.23.

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