The Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals both clinched a playoff berth earlier this week as they still fight for the division title. Who will Don Mattingly and Mike Matheny select to pitch in the four-man postseason rotation?
The Dodgers perhaps have an easier choice to make before they begin their playoff push. They have three definite starters in Clayton Kershaw (20-3 with a 1.80 ERA), Zack Greinke (16-8 with a 2.74 ERA) and Hyun-jin Ryu (14-7 with a 3.38 ERA). Josh Beckett would have likely grabbed the fourth spot if he wasn't shut down for the remainder of the season with a torn labrum, because his extensive playoff experience (7-3 with a 3.07 ERA in 13 starts) is great to have on a postseason staff. But now the choice is between Dan Haren and Roberto Hernandez.
Haren had a particularly bad stretch from late June until the beginning of August, and back in July he was actually in danger of losing his spot in the starting rotation after five straight losses and a 10.03 ERA. The team skipped one of his starts and looked as if they would put him in the bullpen to limit his innings and avoid having his $10 million player option kick in for 2015. But he's remained in the rotation because of the injury to Beckett and reached the 180-inning mark to earn his player option. Since August 6, Haren owns a 5-2 record with a 2.32 ERA in nine starts, which probably has manager Don Mattingly convinced for the fourth rotation spot.
Hernandez looked like he could have jumped in front of Haren after his first few starts with the Dodgers, but he's faded away. He's started eight games with Los Angeles since arriving in a trade from Philadelphia, but has failed to go beyond six innings while compiling just a 2-3 record with a 4.74 ERA. But with Haren's recent success coupled with the fact that they'll now have him through next season, Hernandez will likely join the bullpen.
As for the Cardinals, their postseason rotation will certainly include Adam Wainwright (20-9 with a 2.38 ERA) and Lance Lynn (15-10 with a 2.73 ERA). Based on John Lackey's playoff experience and stellar 2013 postseason performance as a member of the World Champion Boston Red Sox (3-1 with a 2.77 ERA in four starts and five overall appearances), it's probable that manager Mike Matheny has him in there too. So the question is, will Matheny choose the 2013 NLCS MVP Michael Wacha or Shelby Miller?
Wacha missed over two months because of a stress reaction in his throwing shoulder and returned to action on September 4. In an attempt to ease him back into the rotation, Matheny had him throw just three innings and 50 pitches in his first start back (he allowed one earned run against the Brewers), but he was then knocked around in his next start against the Reds, surrendering six runs (five earned) in just four innings. The team skipped his following start and had him throw a couple of bullpen sessions to work on his command and ensure his shoulder was completely healthy. He returned 11 days later to face Cincinnati again, and this time gave up six hits and only two runs in 4 2/3 innings. He should get one more start before the postseason begins.
But Shelby Miller might be the more reliable option at this point since Wacha's potential to be dominant is relatively unknown. Miller is 10-9 on the year with a 3.74 ERA in 31 starts. The right-hander pitched in the postseason last year for St. Louis out of the bullpen, but posted a 6.23 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 4 1/3 innings against the Pirates and Giants. Matheny has a tough decision to make, but it could be easier based on Wacha's final starting performance of the regular season.
Check out the 2014 MLB Postseason schedule here.
