Dodgers News: Why Dodgers are Sticking with a Pitcher Sporting an 8.17 ERA in Their Rotation

Bobby Miller of the Los Angeles Dodgers remains in the spotlight as he continues to struggle on the mound, currently holding a disappointing ERA of 8.17. Miller's recent performances have compounded the pressure on the young pitcher; in a recent outing against the Chicago Cubs, he allowed six runs on five hits and issued four walks over just 4.1 innings. Over his last two starts, he has yielded a total of 13 runs in only 9.1 innings, raising questions about his spot in the team's postseason plans.

Manager Dave Roberts expressed understanding of Miller's tough situation , stating, “I think he’s grinding. I see it. He’s competing as much as he can.” Roberts highlighted Miller's issues with his secondary pitches and noted how the predictability of his fastball has affected his performance. Despite these challenges, the Dodgers will provide Miller with another opportunity to make his case, confirming he will get “another start, and then we’ll see from there.”

While Miller's struggles are evident, the Dodgers are still positioned well in the National League West. They maintain a five-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and sit 5.5 games clear of the San Diego Padres, with a magic number of 11 to clinch their division title for the 11th time in 12 seasons. There are signs of hope within the pitching staff as well, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto's recent promising performance and Walker Buehler's reported progress from injury.

As the Dodgers look towards the postseason, management must find the right fit for their rotation, especially if Miller's performances do not improve, emphasizing the importance of consistent pitching in their quest for a championship.

Related: Dodgers News: Nick Ramirez Outrighted to Triple-A as LA Reassesses Pitching Depth

Going Deeper

Reference Links:

1. SI.com on Bobby Miller's performance
2. True Blue LA's analysis of Miller's situation
3. BVM Sports on Miller's rocky season
4. True Blue LA on Dodgers' playoff rotation plans