The Los Angeles Dodgers are finally starting to show what their starting rotation can really do. This group was built to be one of the most intimidating in Major League Baseball.
After months of injuries and a lot of uncertainty, the rotation looks like it’s finding its groove just as the postseason creeps closer. With Blake Snell back and pitching like an ace, and with Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Emmet Sheehan all contributing, the Dodgers look set for a dangerous October.
Blake Snell’s Triumphant Return
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell wasted no time reminding everyone why hitters fear him. After missing four months with shoulder trouble, he came back and struck out 10 over five scoreless innings in a 9-1 win against the Blue Jays.
The command, velocity, and that signature deception were all there. Snell set the tone for what could become a huge stretch run.
In just two starts since coming off the injured list, Snell has piled up 18 strikeouts in 10 innings. Even better, he says he hasn’t hit his top gear yet.
If he sharpens up even more, the Dodgers might have another dominant arm for October.
Offensive Support Ignites the Win
While Snell dealt on the mound, the Dodgers’ bats made plenty of noise. Max Muncy blasted a two-run homer, and Shohei Ohtani launched his 40th of the season.
Then came a six-run sixth inning that buried the Blue Jays. When the Dodgers’ pitching and hitting both show up, it’s honestly scary for opponents.
Tyler Glasnow and the Midseason Boost
Tyler Glasnow has given the rotation a real shot in the arm since returning July 9. He’s allowed one run or fewer in four of his last five starts.
His fastball-slider combo is electric. Glasnow just makes the staff deeper and more dangerous.
The Healthy Core of the Rotation
Now, the Dodgers have Ohtani, Kershaw, Yamamoto, Glasnow, and Snell all healthy at once. That doesn’t happen often.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been a rock, leading NL starters in scoreless outings. Kershaw still brings that steady, big-game presence, and Ohtani’s two-way play is impossible to ignore.
Six-Man Rotation Strategy Paying Off
Manager Dave Roberts has gone with a six-man rotation this year. He wants to keep Ohtani and Yamamoto fresh by giving them extra rest.
This approach has kept the starters sharp and opened up innings for Emmet Sheehan, who’s making a name for himself.
Emmet Sheehan’s Emergence
After Dustin May went to Boston, Sheehan stepped up with surprising poise. He’s thrown 30 innings with a solid 3.00 ERA.
Sheehan’s presence lets the Dodgers survive the grind and keep their top arms ready for the playoffs.
Addressing Bullpen Concerns
The bullpen still leaves some questions. Injuries and inconsistency have made things tough, though reinforcements could be on the way.
With the starters eating more innings, maybe the pressure on the bullpen will ease up. That could be huge once the postseason gets tense.
Stacked and Confident
Snell called the Dodgers’ pitching staff “stacked.” Honestly, it’s tough to disagree.
Manager Dave Roberts keeps saying the rotation’s competitiveness fuels this team’s current surge. Each starter seems to nudge the next guy to raise their game.
The Dodgers are on one of those streaks that just feels like it could carry them deep into October. You know the kind—momentum you can almost see.
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Here is the source article for this story: Blake Snell turns in a performance befitting his Snellzilla nickname in Dodgers’ blowout win
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