Dodgers News: LA Not Giving Up on Struggling Pitching Staff Just Yet

After winning a franchise-record 111 games last year, the Dodgers are once again making history ... but not in a good way.

In their most recent full series against the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers were swept, giving up the most runs ever scored by the Giants in a three-game series in Los Angeles. A specific record, but a record nonetheless.

While things have gone better of late, LA's pitching woes have been the story of the season.

The Dodger bullpen as well as some starting pitchers have struggled immensely. Their team ERA of 4.50 puts them at eighth-worst in the league.

Their poor performance from the mound has been reflected in the NL West standings as the Dodgers sit at third, just 5.5 games ahead of the fourth-place Padres.

Team president Andrew Friedman spoke to The Athletic about the rarity that has been the 2023 Dodger pitching staff.

"It's very uncharacteristic for us not to pitch well, and that is in a lot of ways, what we've experienced to this point," Friedman said.

(Via

The Athletic)

However, with the Aug. 1 trade deadline looming, Friedman emphasized his belief that the on-field pitching product will improve.

"We still really believe in this roster and the talent level," Friedman said. "Obviously we are way more talented than how we've been playing. ... But now it's on us to go out and prove it and show it."

(Via

The Athletic

)

Slumps happen in baseball, and there is reason among Friedman and the Dodgers front office to believe that some of the Dodger pitchers who have underperformed are capable of a comeback.

"If we didn't feel like, for the guys who are struggling, that there was a compelling upside story, and levers we felt like we could pull to get them back to having a lot of more success, then they wouldn't be here," Friedman said.

(Via

The Athletic

)

A key factor to keep in mind during the Dodgers' pitching trouble is the amount of injuries to some of their best pitchers. Julio Urías, who started Opening Day, has been out for the last month with a hamstring injury. Ryan Pepiot, a pitching prospect scouts are high on, has yet to make an appearance this season due to an oblique issue. Daniel Hudson, who tore his ACL last season after establishing himself in the bullpen, also has been out all season.

The good news? Urías and Hudson are both expected to return by the end of the month. While their reintroduction won't solve everything, their presence will undoubtedly make a difference on the mound.