Dodgers have one major area of concern despite win over Nationals

Money can buy a lot of things, but apparently not reliable starting pitching.

On Wednesday, the Dodgers' worrying early-season problem persisted in a 6-5 win over the Nationals (5-7).

Los Angeles used its MLB-high seventh starting pitcher, Landon Knack, in just its 14th game, and he didn't last long.

Knack was pulled in the bottom of the third after going 2.1 innings, ending his outing with a 10.38 earned run average (ERA). He faced 15 batters and allowed eight to reach base (four walks, four hits) with two strikeouts.

It was the latest in a growing list of poor starting pitching performances from the Dodgers, who have one of the MLB’s highest payrolls.

Los Angeles has spent big bucks on its starting rotation, including signing Blake Snell during the offseason to a five-year, $182 million contract. He joined a staff with 2024 free-agent additions Tyler Glasnow (five years, $136.6 million) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12 years, $325 million).

The financial investment hasn’t paid off this season. While the Dodgers are 10-4, they’ve been lifted by an explosive offense, averaging 4.9 runs per game.

Snell, placed on the injured list (shoulder) on Monday,  has a solid 2.00 ERA, but his underlying numbers are troubling. In two starts, he’s pitched nine innings, allowing 18 total base runners (.270 on-base average), with 10 hits, eight walks and four strikeouts

Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki has been shaky, walking an MLB-high 11 batters and allowing seven hits in 8.2 innings over three starts.

Per FanGraphs, Dodgers starters entered Wednesday allowing the league’s most walks per nine innings (6.7). 

As the staff struggles, there might be more urgency in getting two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani back on the mound. He’s slowly working his way back from September 2023 elbow surgery, recently throwing a bullpen session.

Considering the resources they’ve spent, the Dodgers’ rotation woes are surprising. Los Angeles has been good enough for the difficulties to be nothing more than a slight speed bump, but they are noticeable. Probably more than the Dodgers would like.