After contentious discussions, the MLB lockout is over and teams have begun their spring training schedules. Opening Day has been pushed to April 14, which gives teams some extra time to finalize their rosters and rotations. In this series, TGH will be summarizing each team’s 2021 season and predicting their Opening Day pitching rotation. Here is the projected Los Angeles Dodgers pitching rotation for 2022.
Summary
Despite a great win-loss record of 106-56, the Dodgers still finished second in the NL West, just one game behind the Giants. This means they found themselves in the Wild Card game against the Cardinals, even though they won over 100 games.
They defeated the Cardinals, and then their NL West rival Giants in five games in the NLDS. The Braves pulled off a win in the NLCS over the defending champions. Now, with an even more bolstered roster of All Star-level talent, the Dodgers are going after the title once again. In fact, manager Dave Roberts guaranteed a World Series win in 2022. Here is a look at the projected pitching rotation that could get them there.
1. Walker Buehler
The Dodgers have already announced Buehler as their Opening Day starter. In over 200 innings pitched last year, he put up an ERA of just 2.47. He also started an MLB-high 33 games.
2. Julio Urias
Urias had an MLB-best 20 wins and 87 percent winning percentage 32 starts last season. He also managed to earn an ERA under 3.00 in 185.2 innings. The Dodgers have more than a few guys that can eat up innings, and Urias is no exception.
3. Clayton Kershaw
Some have Kershaw much lower in their projected rotations, but even with injury issues, it is hard to place a former MVP, Triple Crown winner, and three-time Cy Young Award winner at the bottom of a rotation. His numbers were a bit worse than usual last year (3.55 ERA in just 22 starts), but he is still a force to be reckoned with.
4. Andrew Heaney
2022 will be Heaney’s first year in Dodger blue, but far from his first season in Los Angeles. The former Angel pitched 35.2 innings after being traded to the Yankees last season, collecting an ERA of 7.32. His total ERA for the season was 5.83.
5. Tony Gonsolin
There are multiple options for the fifth starter, as the Dodgers are not short on talent. David Price, for instance, could be in line here. But the lack of tape on Tony Gonsolin serves a purpose here. He finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 2020, and in 2021 he grabbed an ERA of 3.53 over just 55.2 innings.
Featured image courtesy of USA TODAY Sports
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