“Can’t Count on Ohtani” – Dodgers Face Alarming Reality as Pitching Crisis Spirals Into ‘Major Problem’

Coming into the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the dream team. And to some, baseball’s evil empire with a roster that looked stacked, loaded, and unfair, even too many. They even had the flashiest signing, and on paper, it looked like they were playing in a league of their own. They looked untouchable.

But baseball has a way of humbling even the most stacked squads. And paper doesn’t help win championships, and it certainly doesn’t throw those innings. For the Dodgers, one thing is becoming clear—having the best roster in the game means nothing if the starters can’t take the field.

Right now, two of their biggest stars, their aces, are down. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are sitting ducks, watching their team from the sidelines because of shoulder inflammation. And ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian recently talked about how this isn’t the best news for a team that wants to go back-to-back in the World Series win.

Tim Kurkjian, talking about the injury-stricken pitchers, said, “Yeah, right now it’s a huge concern because Blake Snell was great—not good, but great—and he is hurt. Tyler Glasnow’s stuff is not good—it’s great—and he is hurt. So you take dynamic arms, and there is no telling when Shohei is coming back, and it’s a major problem… You can’t count on Ohtani coming back to be a great pitcher. He probably will be, but you can’t count on that.”

And while the team and Dave Roberts have hinted at a Shohei Ohtani comeback. Who says it’s certain? Bob Nightengale recently said they Ohtani might even give up pitching. And if Ohtani does return, whether he can be his usual self and whether the team will take chances to push him too fast, too quickly, is questionable. Plus, he is not in his complete form right now. For now, they are leaning on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, and Dustin May.

This is the trip that still packs a promise. But there is a catch, and that is two of their pitchers are from Japan, and they are adjusting to pitching every fifth day instead of once a week like they did in Japan. That’s a lot of heavy lifting. And well, in the end, while a packed roster doesn’t guarantee everything will be perfect through 162 games, it does help you reach the playoffs. So even though they are staring down a “major problem” for now, the depth of the rotation should be able to help cruise them to the playoffs.

Plus, they might have reinforcements incoming!

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ backup plan is here… kind of

Since Blake Snell and Glasnow are both sidelined, the Los Angeles Dodgers don’t have a treasure trove of aces waiting. But the longer the two remain on the outs, which at this point might look like a possibility, the more LA will be forced to lean on two options. And if you are being honest, the backups aren’t at the same level.

First up is Justin Wrobleski. He has already been used once as a spot starter. And most likely, he will get another look. But a look at his stats will tell you that he can’t fill in those Glasnow shoes. He has a 5.71 ERA and a 1:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in Triple-A Oklahoma City. So yes, the gap in quality is massive, and depending on him for some meaningful innings is risky.

Then there is also another favorite — the sentimental favorite—Clayton Kershaw. The 37-year-old legend is working his way back, and according to sources, he might make it back by May or June sometime. Sure, getting him back would be a boost to the rotation, but there is an if. To rely on him every fifth day and deep in October seems risky, too.

Because that’s a lot to ask from a guy whose fastball dropped to 89.8 mph last season. And not to forget, he has a history of breaking down in the latter part of the season. Meanwhile, the NL West is not playing around. The Colorado Rockies are looking like playoff threats, so the margin to make an error is distressing.

For now, the Los Angeles Dodgers can hope and pray that their big-name arms make a comeback soon. Because the road in October won’t be simple without them. Do you agree too? Let us know.

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