Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Giants, Padres, Rockies: NL West June check-in

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a team that is perennially built on the strength of its starting pitching and, as the injuries to the starting rotation begin to pile up, there may be some room for concern. Maybe. Julio Urias, Walker Buehler, Dustin May, Ryan Pepiot, and Phil Bickford are all currently on the injured list, and those guys alone could make up the starting rotation for a 90-win team. L.A. still has Clayton Kershaw slinging hammers, Tony Gonsolin pitching well, and rookie Bobby Miller, but this situation could get pretty ugly. Kershaw seemingly never disappoints on the mound, but was just 1-3 last month and posted a 2.2 walks/9, his highest in over a decade. Gonsolin was 3-1 in six starts, but lacks those elite K rates that allow pitchers to sustain success. Noah Syndergaard is probably an afterthought at this point, and the Dodgers’ best hope lies on a speedy recovery for Urias, and continued prosperity for Miller, who has been great in his first three MLB starts, surrendering just two earned runs, and collecting two wins while striking out nearly a batter per inning. His walk rates are down from his minor league days, and he could be just the shot in the arm this team needs.

The Dodgers still went 18-10 last month, sport one of the best lineups in baseball, and that makes up for a lot of the pitching woes. Over their last 27 games the Dodgers are second in MLB in OPS, second in home runs, and third in runs scored. Freddie Freeman played through May with scorched earth under his cleats, batting .400 in 115 at-bats, he plated 26 runs while posting a 1.184 OPS. Will Smith hit .318 with five homers, J.D. Martinez hit .311 in 18 games and has five homers in his last seven, while the always reliable Mookie Betts also contributed nine home runs last month. This is a very potent lineup that will keep Los Angeles in most games, regardless of who is on the mound.