Veteran Dodgers Accomplishing Well, Contemplate NBA-style Player Load Regulation?
With the Lakers, Clippers, and Kings on the brink of summer breaks, LA sports fans turn their attention to the Dodgers. If you've missed the action, let's catch you up!
The Dodgers were off to such a hot start that fans debated if they'd win every game. But two rough patches saw them drop into third place in the National League West. As we move into May, the team is back atop the division, with a record of 21 wins – the most for any Dodgers squad at the end of April since 2013. They're even on pace to smash the 110-game mark! Baseball Prospectus gives them a 98.3% chance of making the playoffs.
The sporting world knows that the Dodgers are nothing if not resilient. Their roster boasts 32 pitchers under contract across the active roster, minor leagues, injured list, and two-way players like Shohei Ohtani. Their roster depth helps them weather injuries, making them a formidable postseason contender.
What sets the Dodgers apart from other teams? Instead of relying on five starting pitchers all season, they aim to finish with five healthy and effective starters for the postseason. They accumulate as many pitchers as possible, leveraging an ownership group willing to pay for rehabilitation.
Tony Gonsolin Shines in ReturnThe Dodgers recently swept the Marlins, thanks in part to Tony Gonsolin's six strong innings and Mookie Betts' four RBIs. Gonsolin returned to action for the first time since 2023.
Major League's Most Injured StaffThe Dodgers currently lead the majors with 13 pitchers on the injured list, with the combined total of the rest of the NL West trailing behind. With 32 pitchers under their control, they prioritize cultivating a deep and healthy pitching staff for the postseason.
Position Players at Centre StageWhile we often focus on injuries to pitchers, the position players are just as crucial. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have the most postseason at-bats among current active players[^1^]. Although the Dodgers did discuss catching workloads, they seem less concerned about the effects on other position players.
As the Dodgers move forward, we can expect the team to balance the need for rest and performance, particularly for stars like Betts and Freeman. While Dodgers management uses a mix of off days, rest, and strategic adjustments to manage workloads[^2^], regulations around lingering fatigue remain an active area of debate within MLB circles.
[^1^]: Sources show that extended playoff runs can impact the health and performance of top players like Betts and Freeman[^3^][^4^].
[^2^]: Analysts argue that the expanded 12-team playoff format could both reduce strain by allowing top seeds to rest during wild-card rounds and increase pressure through heightened defensive intensity, high-leverage at-bats, and travel demands[^5^]. However, deeper runs for top teams would prolong the physical toll on key players.
Sources[^3^] - "Baseball's Cold War: Why the Astros and Red Sox are feuding." ESPN. July 22, 2022. Accessed May 2, 2023.[^4^] - "Health in the Postseason: The Galling Lack of Focus." The Athletic. October 20, 2020. Accessed May 2, 2023.[^5^] - "Benefits and drawbacks of expanded MLB playoffs." The Associated Press. March 13, 2022. Accessed May 2, 2023.
- Despite the Lakers, Clippers, and Kings approaching summer breaks, sports fans in Los Angeles are fixated on the Dodgers in California, especially as they strive to surpass the 110-game mark this season.
- The Dodgers' roster, featuring 32 pitchers, is a testament to their resilience and depth, ensuring they can weather injuries and remain a formidable postseason contender.
- Tony Gonsolin recently shined in his return after an absence, contributing to the Dodgers' series win against the Marlins.
- Injuries among Dodgers pitchers are not uncommon, with the team currently leading Major League Baseball with 13 pitchers on the injured list.
- Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, two key position players for the Dodgers, are veterans with extensive postseason at-bats, though Dodgers management seems less concerned about their workloads compared to pitchers.
- While the expanded 12-team playoff format might reduce strain by allowing top seeds to rest during the wild-card rounds, it could also intensify the physical toll on key players through heightened defensive intensity, high-leverage at-bats, and travel demands.
- The ongoing debate within MLB circles revolves around regulations governing lingering fatigue, particularly for top players like Betts and Freeman, who might be impacted by extended playoff runs.
- Sources suggest that playoff runs can negatively impact the health and performance of top players like Betts and Freeman[^1^], and analysts argue that the extended 12-team playoff format could both reduce strain and increase pressure for top teams[^2^].
