Bobby Miller is the Dodgers' Ace

… at least he is THIS year. Next year, he will have to contend with Walker Buehler for that role, assuming that Striker can come back strong from his Tommy John Surgery. Bobby Miller is having an excellent rookie season, but in all likelihood, it may be better than the statistics indicate. While Clayton Kershaw was younger, he pitched 108 innings as a rookie and allowed 109 hits; he walked 52 and struck out 100 while allowing a 4.26 ERA and a 1.495 WHIP.

On the other hand, Bobby Miller has pitched 102 innings, allowing 88 hits, with 28 BB and 92 strikeouts. His ERA sits at 3.98, and his WHIP is 1.141! Bobby Miller, much like Clayton, has an easy, repeatable delivery. Contrast that with Buehler, who has a “high effort,” even violent delivery. It’s no wonder Walker has had two (count ’em 2) surgeries on his UCL. Clayton may need one, but Bobby seems to have that Justin Verlander, Roger Clemens type of body!

Like most rookies, Bobby is learning the most from adversity. He would like to have a handful of pitches back that he threw last night, but I think the adversity will build his resolve and (most importantly) his character. Most rookies lose focus at times as the situation, emotions, and underlying circumstances can take them out of their games. You can see it happen with Bobby, and you can also see him snap out of it. He grew last night, and he will keep growing… even throughout this playoff run… however long it may be.

Winning the War

Winning a war is not the same as winning a battle. The Dodgers have the division clinched… or as good as clinched. The battle is won. The war has not yet started. That is the playoffs.

Now is the time to work on the playoff pitching. Let’s start with Gus Varland. I think he could be a useful reliever, but not this year. Gavin Stone will likely get the call today, but it will only happen if someone is injured or goes on paternity leave, because Gavin cannot be recalled within 15 days of being optioned… unless one of those circumstances occur. Gus will likely hop on the bus to OKC, but unless Gus is hurt, Gavin can’t take his place. See what I did there? “Hop on the bus, Gus, You don’t need to discuss much…” I think Gavin will get the start today and has been very good of late.

Ryan Pepiot is finally pitching as his stuff looks. So, it is possible that the Dodgers have three possible starters for the playoffs in Miller, Pepiot, and Stone. I think Michael; Grove’s stuff plays best as a long man in the bullpen, but what about the Three Lefties? Here is my opinion on all three.

Ryan Yarbrough – He is 3-1 with a 2.82 ERA with the Dodgers. He also has a 0.85 WHIP. As fans, we seem to only remember what he has done lately… and it wasn’t good. On September 5th, he pitched three innings, allowing two home runs and three total runs. However, there are mitigating circumstances – his wife is expecting a child this month – how soon? Nobody is saying, but that causes me to give him a pass for his last outing. In the playoffs, Ryan could be a starter or a bulk-inning eater!

Lance Lynn – He has been a HR Machine all year, and can the Dodgers “fix him?” Well, maybe, but I would not do it now. If they are going to tweak anything, it would be during the playoffs. I would not play my hand now. That’s assuming there is a way, and I think there is. We shall wait and see.

Clayton Kershaw – As much as we love Clayton, he just is a shell of himself unless he can recover several MPH on his fastball. I do not see that happening, so the best I think we can expect of Clayton is to use him as an opener for two innings, then bring in Michael Grove (a RHP) and hope he can pitch three or four innings (getting some of the RH batters out of the lineup) and then following up with the LH Ryan Yarbrough. It’s a plan!

The rest of the bullpen is pretty dang good. With Shelby Miller back and filling an important role, the bullpen remains the best in baseball. Today, we see who Gavin Stone replaces… and it can’t be Varland unless he is hurt. Feelings do not count!

Down on the Farm

• OKC beat Sugarland 2-1. Jimmy Nelson pitched on back-to-back days and was roughed up (a little) which is to be expected.
• Tulsa lost 8-3. Ben Casparius got beat like a rented mule (10 hits and 7 runs in 5 IP). Ouch!
• GL lost 5-3.Ronan Kopp continues to look like a future reliever for LA.
• RC won 8-5. Kendall George (2-3) continues to rake, as did De Paula (2-3) and Liranzo (a 3-run shot #24 on the year). Wilman Diaz was 2-4 with a HR, and Gelof hit a 2-run shot. These guys are fun!

The Mighty Quinn

On a sad note, we lost The Mighty Quinn last night after a minor surgery in which the vet “over-sedated” him and flat-out killed him. He was my loyal Dodger Game Companion for seven years. R.I.P. Quinn – I am going to sue their asses!