Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts named his starter for Game 6 of the World Series. But was it the right decision?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are just one victory away from winning their first World Series since 1988, and it’s all thanks to their solid batting order and a stellar performance by ace Clayton Kershaw. We’re sure the Dodgers would like to avoid a Game 7 and wrap things up on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. But the question that arose late Sunday night was who would take the mound for Game 6.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that it would be rookie Tony Gonsolin getting the Game 6 start. But was that really the right decision?
Tony Gonsolin will start for the Dodgers opposite Blake Snell
Gonsolin is a favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year award this season, and for good reason. The right-hander recorded an impressive 2.31 ERA and 0.84 WHIP while striking out 46 batters in 46.2 innings of work. There’s no denying that those are great numbers for a rookie arm, but he hasn’t showed up for the postseason.
The rookie made his playoff debut in Game 2 of the NLCS, and it didn’t go well for him. Gonsolin was pulled in the fifth inning as he surrendered five earned runs on three hits (one home run) in an 8-7 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Gonsolin was called upon in Game 5 against the Braves, and he surrendered two earned runs on two hits in two innings of work. Surely he’d redeem himself in the World Series? Well, not really.
Gonsolin served as Los Angeles’ opener in Game 2 of the World Series against the Rays. He couldn’t get out of the second inning, as he surrendered a solo home run to Tampa Bay second baseman Brandon Lowe. The Dodgers went on to drop that game 6-4, and Gonsolin was credited with the loss. As of this writing, he has a postseason ERA of 9.39. That’s alarming, to be quite honest.
Sure, it’s entirely possible that Gonsolin can get back in the zone for Game 6. But based off Los Angeles’ recent bouts with heartbreak, they’re taking a huge risk by throwing the rookie on the mound opposite Blake Snell on Tuesday. Roberts had better have a contingency plan in case things get awry in Game 6.