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The Dodgers' pitching approach in the World Series contrasts with the Yankees' pitching approach

The Dodgers' pitching approach in the World Series contrasts with the Yankees' pitching approach

The Dodgers beat the Mets in Game 6 of the NLCS with seven different pitchers, none of whom threw more than two innings – and the only pitcher to retire more than four batters was closer Blake Treinen, who pitched the final two innings Angeles to the World Series.

Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake watched this game and admired the performance of the Dodgers pitching staff, but wouldn't recommend too many teams try it out – especially in the playoffs.

“They are using their squad to the best of their abilities and have some really good backup players,” Blake said. “If that's a strength, lean on it like Cleveland did and don't try to be someone you're not and force a starter out there. But a lot of things have to go right in a bullpen game. All it takes is one guy going sideways to throw your matchups off balance.”


Gerrit Cole, who will start in Game 1, works out during a Yankees practice on October 22, 2024.
Gerrit Cole, who will start in Game 1, works out during a Yankees practice on October 22, 2024. Robert Sabo for the New York Post

The Yankees have lined up four starters for the World Series, starting with Gerrit Cole for Game 1 on Friday in Los Angeles.

Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil can participate in Games 2-4, which should keep the bullpen as rested as it can be this time of year.

Los Angeles entered the NLCS with just three regular starters: Jack Flaherty, who will start Game 1 of the World Series, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler.

It's not a voluntary decision as the Dodgers have struggled with injuries to Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin, among others.

Because of the way the World Series schedule is constructed, a team will either need a fourth starter, be prepared to return their Game 1 starter on short rest, or use a bullpen game.

“We take a lot of pride in having guys that go out there,” Schmidt said of the Yankees’ playoff rotation. “At a time when the game — even playoff scenarios — is shifting toward more bullpen games, we have a staff that we feel comfortable with every time a player goes out.”

“If you run out of bullpen arms, you come to Game 4, come to Game 5, come to Game 6 or whatever it is, and the lineups have seen those guys three days in a row or four times in four at-bats , “It changes a lot,” said Carlos Rodon. “You see, some arms don't throw quite the speed they normally do because they've been used so much – which I understand because it's the postseason, you gotta get those arms in the game, they're your a-” 1 arms . But I think there is value in having the starter go through the lineup three times in the postseason. … I think it’s pretty valuable to have good starters.”

The results were good for the Yankees and the teams will be tested even more in the World Series.


Closer Blake Treinan is the anchor for a strong Dodgers bullpe that has already been heavily used this postseason.
Closer Blake Treinen is the anchor of a strong Dodgers bullpen that has already been heavily used this postseason. Getty Images

So far this postseason, no bullpen has thrown more innings than the Dodgers, who are at 57, according to Fangraphs.

The Yankees enter the World Series having used their pen for 38²/₃⅔innings.


Follow the Post's coverage of the Yankees in the postseason:


“You hope to get as many outs as you can before you go to the bullpen because every batter counts, as we saw in the last round,” Blake said. “In the end, everyone is on the hook and it can depend on who has something left in the tank.”

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