Dodgers News: Pundit Challenges Julio Urias to Have Huge Second Half

In his last two starts before Wednesday, Julio Urías looked like his dominant self. Then, on Wednesday against Baltimore, he fell apart.

Urías allowed a career-high eight earned runs and struck out just two batters across five innings. It was another blip in a year full of struggles for the former Dodgers ace.

Julio Urias' day should finally be done for the Dodgers. His final line:

5 IP, 8 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

His ERA has skyrocketed back to 5.02 on the year. Not exactly the contract year he was looking for.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) July 19, 2023

During the 2023 campaign, Urías struggled and spent more than a month on the IL with a hamstring injury. Since the Dodgers lost Dustin May for the rest of the season and Noah Syndergaard hasn’t performed up to expectations, the Dodgers need Urías to perform well.

During the first half before going on the IL, Urías allowed many hard-hit balls. In the May 18th start against the St. Louis Cardinals, he gave up four home runs in one inning, and then immediately went on the IL.

While on the IL, Urías worked on his mechanics to help him be effective. Despite having a bad start when he returned and started against the hapless Royals, he was unlucky on soft hits.

In the next two starts, Urías dominated both the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Mets. His fastball seemed to have more velocity which makes his changeup harder to hit. His slurve has a sharper break than it did before Urías went on the IL.

However, after Wednesday, the Dodgers aren't sure what they have in him anymore. Theo DeRosa of MLB.com thinks he needs to have a huge second half for LA to be successful.

"Besides his ERA, not much has been different for Urías in 2023, as his strikeout and walk rates are in line with the past few seasons. Urías kick-started the second half with six one-hit innings Friday against the Mets, a start that should have Dodgers fans optimistic about the left-hander’s ability to lead the L.A. rotation."

Going into his free-agent offseason, Urías wants to improve his statistics. Following Wednesday's collapse, he has a 5.02 ERA. The Dodgers want Urías to lead a young starting rotation, particularly after Clayton Kershaw returns to the rotation sometime during August. If he can, he will be beneficial for the Dodgers and himself.