Perhaps even a pessimistic individual couldn’t have expected so many issues so early for the Dodgers‘ pitching staff. These problems will be apparent here as Los Angeles is forced to use a bullpen game against Sandy Alcantara and the Miami Marlins.
Because of Tyler Glasnow getting placed on the injured list, the Dodgers pitching problems are fairly large, and an alternative brought to the table is that of Ben Casparius joining the rotation. Tony Gonsolin is also on his way back, making his return on Wednesday, and Clayton Kershaw looks set to join the staff as soon as the 60-day IL period allows him to, currently building up in the minors.
While the option of Casparius might be an appealing one in the short term, he is unavailable to pitch Tuesday night against the Marlins, having thrown 3⅔ innings on Sunday, filling in for Glasnow.
Remaining on the subject of pitching needs, it’s far too early for trade talks, but it should be noted, the Marlins’ starter figures to be one of the more highly-sought-after names around the trade deadline.
Alcantara has struggled heavily since his return from Tommy John surgery, but he is coming off his strongest outing, a quality start against the Reds (six innings, five hits, three runs). The stuff is still there, and it just seems like a matter of time until things start to click.
Taking that into account, if history is a reliable indicator, Alcantara is not looking forward all that much to his visit to Dodger Stadium, where he has been absolutely bombed in four career starts, allowing 23 earned runs across 16 innings. Far and away his worst numbers at any park.
Elected the NL Player of the Week last week alongside Eugenio Suárez, Andy Pages just went 2-for-4 on Monday, and looks to prove this isn’t just a fleeting hot streak, but the beginning of a potential breakout campaign.
Maybe it’s Pages, but perhaps it’s just the ninth spot in the order. During the 7-6 win over the Marlins on Monday, the ninth spot went 4 for 5, including the walk-off double. Miguel Rojas went 3 for 3 and was eventually replaced by Tommy Edman, who sent everyone home with a two-run single in the 10th.
Wednesday game info
- Teams: Dodgers vs. Marlins
- Stadium: Dodger Stadium
- Start time: 7:10 p.m.
- TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network (out of market)
- Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)
