Nothing Wrong With Back of the Rotation SP for LAD
I said it when Roki Sasaki was struggling…If not Roki, who? He finally started to pitch with more confidence and he put together a string of positive starts. Yes, there were those who forgot about his previous four excellent starts and instead focused on his CWS start. He is a back of the rotation pitcher. He is not an Ace. There is still time as he is just 24 years…
I said it when Roki Sasaki was struggling…If not Roki, who? He finally started to pitch with more confidence and he put together a string of positive starts. Yes, there were those who forgot about his previous four excellent starts and instead focused on his CWS start. He is a back of the rotation pitcher. He is not an Ace. There is still time as he is just 24 years old.
Then there is the other back of the rotation RHSP that many do not care for, Emmet Sheehan. Comments like he should not pitch to batters a third time through, or 4 and done. Sheehan is all of 26 years old, and has accomplished 6.0+ innings multiple times this year and in his career. He is a back of the rotation pitcher. He is not an Ace. Was not drafted to be and is not expected to be.
The difference this year over last year is the number of HRs allowed. But consider that he is in the 90th percentile for Chase and 85th percentile for Whiff. It is not his stuff. It is his command. He has had it on multiple occasions, but he is struggling with it thus far. With his ability for chase and whiff it is probably a mechanics issue, not stuff. How does he get it back? He pitches.
I have had a couple of really good conversations with my son this past week. He is not a big LAD fan and he loves to argue with me. He knows I like Sheehan and he decided to watch Sunday’s game, just to argue with me. But he surprised me. He said there are going to be a lot of fans criticizing Sheehan, but he liked what he saw. For five innings he dominated. He made a horrible pitch for the HR and it looked like it deflated him. Then he told me, “I don’t think fans understand just how hard it is to try and pitch a shutout.”
With the LAD lackluster offense, Sheehan may have thought he had to pitch a shutout for 6-7 innings. While he did not experience stress with runners on base in the first five innings, it was the stress of trying to be being perfect. One bad pitch ended the day for him. Of course it should not have, but he is a young back of the rotation pitcher trying to stick in the LAD rotation. He knows Glasnow and Snell will be back. He is not making millions. He is just above MLB minimum. He is not going to make the big $$$ unless he sticks in a rotation.
Go back and look at Yamamoto’s early season struggles when he was not getting any offensive help. On May 12 he gave up 5 runs in a 6-2 loss, and the next start he lost 1-0. His last four starts have been extra special, but he got a lot of run support…5 runs, 9 runs, 9 runs, and 7 runs. How different might it have been if he was getting his early season run support? Yama is an Ace and is being paid as an Ace.
So if not Sheehan, who? River Ryan? IMO Ryan is legit, but he may be more suited to be a high leverage reliever come the end of THIS year. He has 55.1 total AAA IP. 32.0 IP with 7 starts this year. That is 4.5 innings per start. He is not fully ramped up yet. Close, but not yet. After Ryan, there is NOBODY.
Sheehan is having a better year over many proven SP. He would be #2 for the Cubs only behind Imanaga. He would be #3 for Milwaukee and NYM. #3/#4 for a number of teams. But he is with the Dodgers, and Dodger fans want pitchers who can qualify for top of rotation status.
Just like I stuck with Sasaki, I am sticking with Sheehan.
- Eric Lauer – 4 starts, 22.1 IP – 3.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, .228 BAA, 5 BB, 17 K, 5 HR
- Emmit Sheehan – 13 starts, 64.1 IP, 4.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP. .244 BAA, 17 BB, 72 K, 12 HR
- Roki Sasaki – 12 starts, 62.1 IP, 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, .246 BAA, 24 BB, 64 K, 11 HR
ACL Reds 4 – ACL Dodgers 2
The Reds scored 4 off SP Jose Taveras in the 1st inning. In 3.2 IP, he gave up 5 hits and issued 4 BB.
The Dodgers did not have a hit in the first four innings. In the 6th, they scored 2 runs with a double, error, BB, and single. They got their 3rd hit in 7th. LF Leider Padilla had a double for the only XBH. No hitter had more than 1 hit.
DSL Reds 4 – DSL LAD Mega 2
RHRP Nehemias Valdez had a good 2.0 innings of scoreless pitching. No hits or walks and 1 K. For 2026, 4 games, 4.1 IP, 1 ER allowed, 1 hit, 1 BB, 3 K.
No DSL LAD Mega hitter had more than 1 hit.
- C Robert Saucedo, double (3).
- CF Helvin Mendoza, double (2).
- DH Jose Rivas, double (2).
DSL LAD Bautista 16 – DSL Royals Fortuna 5
German born LHSP Tom Apfelbaum completed 3.0 scoreless innings. He allowed 2 hits, 1 BB, and 2 K.
CF Rubel Arias is thus far proving he was worth the hype. Will it continue? Can he emulate Eduardo Quintero?
- CF Rubel Arias – 3-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, 1 SF, triple (1)
- 3B Adrian Del Cid – 2-4, 2 BB, 3 runs, 1 RBI, double (2)
- 1B Oliver Chapman – 2-5, 3 runs
- RF Jeibert Rondon – 3-3, 2 BB, 3 runs, 1 RBI, double (1)
- C Haram Hernandez – 4-6, 2 runs, 4 RBI, double (3)
- LF Jhosman Theran – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (2)
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Discussion (83)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Lauer gave up 3 in the first and nothing after that. He held the line until the offense got untracked.
Free River Ryan! Considering his first couple of starts this year were probably a two or three innings. He seems built up now.
We die-hard Dodger fans surely remember that bizarre World Series moment when Devil Rays manager Kevin Cash pulled Blake Snell in the 6th inning of a game he was absolutely dominating. Snell, a Cy Young-winning ace, had struck out nine and allowed only one hit–and Cash decided, to Snell’s dismay, that he should come out. Almost everyone I know thought it was a TERRIBLE, STUPID decision. Most baseball fans, I’m sure, agree. The exception was my friend Marla, who I’ve mentioned before. Her son was in his rookie season as an analyst with Rays. (He later joined the Blue Jays’ brain trust.) Marla defended Cash to the hilt, because I assume that her boy was was part of the staff that persuaded Cash not to allow Snell go through the lineup for a third time. Cash was sticking to a plan. A dumb plan, I think. But a plan. This kind of cold mathematical analysis, I submit, ignores human factors like the adrenaline of pitcher on a roll in a big game, as well as the nerves of opponents on their heels. The analyst trust the mathematical model over gut instincts. The Dodgers were delighted to see Snell come out. They quickly took advantage, wound up winning the game–and Cash’s decision went down in infamy. Now, most of us grew up when many starters collected more than 200 innings in a season, while Koufax would rack up more than 300. Today a 200-inning pitcher is a rarity. Complete games , once fairly common, are now rarities. We see pitchers pulled from games after five innings with regularity. If Roberts had not been at his daughter’s college graduation, would he have stuck with Sheehan? Maybe. Would he have pulled him a little earlier? Maybe. We’ve heard a lot in recent years about how many pitchers struggle in “third-time-through-the-lineup” phase because batters are better prepared and pitchers have already displayed their tricks. That is one reason why starters just aren’t throwing as many innings as they used to. Another is the fear of injury from the wear-and-tear of high velocity. I’m not worried about Sheehan. He did great for five innings. But then that third-time-through seemed to bite him. Is there a pattern there? I don’t know. All considered, I’m less concerned about Sheehan than I am about Jack Dreyer’s recent first-time-through struggles after his excellent rookie season. If Snell and Glasnow and their ace-caliber arms come back healthy down the stretch, they figure to join Yamamoto and Shohei at the top of the rotation. Wrobo, Sheehan and Sasaki might all go the pen. (I’m also rooting for River Ryan and Gavin Stone to come back and make their marks.) Jeff is right that we spoiled Dodger fans want our pitchers who are top-of-the-rotation aces. And that’s why guys like Jeff Passan speculate that the Dodgers might land Tarik Skubal for a package than included Emmit Sheehan.
Not a chance, why push the kid? He is not needed right now. They have six starters and everyone knows his role. Kid has pitched just 32 innings in 7 games. That is 4.5 innings per game. It would be a waste to call the kid up now. His time will come, but most likely not this year.
Dustin May pitched a complete game 3-0 1 hit shutout against the Padres tonight. He lost his perfect game on a walk to Tatis Jr. His no -hitter was lost when Machado singled.
The Athletic did a fairly deep dive on Cash’s fateful decision a full two-months after the fact. Pretty interesting report by Andy McCullough. Oh, I should be clear that I don’t know for sure whether Marla’s analytical son was involved in the strategy. But the Rays and especially Cash were getting a lot of heat, and maybe she was just wanted to mount a loyal and lonely defense. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2266092/2020/12/17/fellow-skippers-reflect-on-kevin-cashs-blake-snell-decision-in-the-world-series/
Great for Dustin May! He’s gone through a lot. So glad the Cards are rolling with him and his talent. Especially nice that he did it to the Padres
A bit more, from the Sporting News: Cash likely took most into account the success major league hitters have when facing pitchers a third time in the same game. According to Baseball Reference, Snell has allowed a .742 OPS the third time he faces hitters in the same game for his career. In a small-sample size (24 batters) against righties in 2020, Snell allowed a 1.072 OPS the third time, per ESPN (for context, Snell has allowed a .664 OPS to batters overall in his career). Coming to the plate was the right-handed hitting Mookie Betts, who has seven regular-season hits off Snell in his career from his time in Boston. After Game 6, Cash said he didn’t want Snell to face Betts, Corey Seager and Justin Turner for a third time. All season, that’s the way the Rays have operated. ESPN wrote that Snell only faced 34 hitters a third time in a game all season, and because Cash has confidence in his “whole damn stable of guys who throw 98” out of the bullpen, it’s generally worked to pull Snell early.
I feel both Sheehan and Sasaki are so close. It just seems they can’t overcome that first bit of adversity in 5th-6th inning. They don’t have to throw shutouts. Seven innings and 3 runs is a win. More mental than stuff. Need that “dog” Wrobo mentality
No knees jerking all over the place today! Lauer did exactly what he needed to do: 6 IP/3 Runs. What do the Dodgers need Ryan or Skubal for? Glasnow and Snell are also part of the picture. … and no complaints about the bullpen. Some of you evidently have never watched baseball before, but sometimes it is maddening… and then it passes. It was good to see Kyle Tucker get a BIG HIT. Now, maybe he will be worth $30 million a year… Oh, wait, he makes $60? Mike Sirota and Josue DePaula are both hitting very well at AA Tulsa. Both are OPSing over 1.000 with BAs north of .330! Has any Dodger hit that well there? The closest recent Tulsa Drillers hitter was Miguel Vargas in 2021. He won the Double-A Central batting title and hit .321 for Tulsa, but his OPS was .909, not over 1.000. Based on Tulsa records and recent Drillers seasons, there does not appear to have been a Tulsa hitter in the Dodgers era (2015-present) who finished a full Double-A season above .330 with an OPS above 1.000. Vargas was the closest combination of average and impact. What’s interesting is that Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota are threatening territory that very few Tulsa hitters have approached simultaneously: De Paula has spent much of 2026 around the .330 mark with elite OBP skills. Sirota arrived in Tulsa after posting a ridiculous .325/.478/.602 line in Great Lakes. What makes Mike Sirota and Josue De Paula interesting is that they are combining elite average with elite on-base ability, something Tulsa rarely sees from players this young. De Paula was even named Texas League Player of the Month this season, underscoring how unusual his production has been. For perspective, if De Paula finishes 2026 around .330/.430/.600 (1.030 OPS), it would likely be one of the greatest offensive seasons by a Tulsa Driller in decades. Sirota has enough power and on-base skill that he could join him in that neighborhood if his Tulsa numbers hold. Now think about this: Detroit will want at least one of DePaula or Sirota… or BOTH… for Skubal. That’s why I say no! I also think that Sirota and DePaula will both be TOP 10 MiLB prospects before the year is over. These guys don’t grow on trees.
Miggy doesn’t hit em often,but he hits em when they count. He will be sorely missed next season. Hopefully the Dodgers reward him with a coaching job that will help young players develop. In my opinion he was the best offseason signing.
Edman is due back. Who goes? Espinal or Call. Everyone seems to love Call, but he is OPSing .683, and Espinal is .650. Flip a coin. Edman can play IF and OF. Call is just OF, and Espinal is just IF. Both will be gone when Kile comes back!
We don’t need Skubal,period!
Espinal goes again.
I usually watch the recaps on the NL games. Last night May (SL) and Wheeler (PHL) were both outstanding. Wheeler shut down SD and we are all happy for May. STL and PHL will be tough to deal with in a short post season playoff series. Sanchez is right up there with Yama and if May continues to put it together, they both will give us trouble. Of course we still win, but it ain’t gonna be easy. Totally agree with Mark – Skubal isn’t worth losing our top prospects. Pick up a 2nd level pitcher at the deadline for a lot less.
torn on Skubal. If he is right there is no better pitcher in baseball. Would not give up both Sirota and dePaua for him , would not include Morales with either one of them. Only Sirota or DePaula with other parts. it would be only a rental for probably damaged goods and that is not worth ThAT much. Lauer was really good after giving up 3 early runs.
Skubal is NOT worth either Sirota,DePaula or Morales on an individual basis. There are some here that are trade-happy for NO apparent reasons.AF/BG will do the right thing come the trade deadline.
If the goald is to threepeat Skubal would be a great addition. Best starter in the game not named Skenes IMHO. Its not that the Dodgers desperately need him but I would hate to see him end up on another contender like the Braves, phils, Yanks, Padres, Brewers. IF he is healthy and costs one of dePaula or Sirota plus some other pieces I would be tempted to do a trade for him.
He’s not really a kid at this point he should be pitching in the big leagues. He’s also pitched at least 6 innings in his last few starts, you’re crazy if you don’t think we see him this year. It’s a matter of when not if.
Ya, a Skubal won’t include DePaula AND Sirota, and it may not include either. Jeff Passan and others on ESPN.com last week opined what it would take to get Skubal, the rental, and neither DePaula or Sirota were in that proposed deal.’ I’d guess they know values and comps more than we do.
I can’t wait till they traded for Skubal and y’all lose it lol
We don’t call people crazy here when they voice their opinion, and my opinion is unless something major happens to one of the pitchers NOW IN THE ROTATION, he is not being called up. There is no reason for it. When Snell is ready to return, and he is now on a throwing program, Lauer will most likely be the odd man out. Who are you going to put Ryan in for? Ohtani? Yamamoto? Ryan is being stretched out so you certainly are not going to use him in a relief role. By the way, he is a kid to me and most of the older posters here. He turns 28 in August, that still gives me 50 years on the kid. Just because he has pitched 6 innings in his last couple of starts at AAA does not mean he is ready to go six against MLB hitters. It is only 7 games since he came back from surgery. They will slow play him.
He is a free agent again at the end of the season.
MLBTR is reporting that Espinal will be DFAd again.
May beat the Padres. Wheeler beat Miami.