Ranking the Dodgers Rotation: Who Drops Out for Blake Snell?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing a problem. It’s a good problem, but a problem nonetheless.
Which of your starting pitchers gets moved to make way for the returning Blake Snell?
With that in mind, Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain ranked the Dodgers’ rotation based on their performance so far this year.
1. Shohei Ohtani
It’s hard to argue with the top choice. Ohtani has a 0.60 ERA and was recently named National League Pitcher of the Month.
That ERA would be best in the NL if Ohtani had enough qualifying innings, though he’s at 30 going into Tuesday’s start. Depending on how long he goes, he could take the NL lead outright.

That might be made a little easier by the face that Ohtani will only pitch, not hit, on Tuesday after manager Dave Roberts reversed his decision on Monday.
“Shohei Ohtani, without question, with a bullet,” McKain said. “He’s been the Dodgers’ best starting pitcher. He hasn’t been just the Dodgers’ best starting pitcher, he’s been the best starting pitcher in all of Major League Baseball and definitely the National League.”
2. Tyler Glasnow
Coming in second is Tyler Glasnow, who might be a surprise for some given the pitchers he’s topped on the list.
Through six starts, though, he has a 3-0 record with a 2.56 ERA, WHIP of 0.828 and 47 strikeouts.
“Tyler Glasnow has put together a really good start to the season,” McKain said.
3. Justin Wrobleski
Justin Wrobleski gets the third spot, which some might find odd considering he’s leading the NL with his 1.25 ERA.
Despite that incredible ERA, though, he lags behind Glasnow in other categories, with a WHIP of 1.000 and only 15 strikeouts.
“Three, I’ve got to go Justin Wrobleski. I know Wrobleski’s ERA will say he’s had a better year so far, but I think Glasnow’s bigger stuff is just better, so I’ve got to go with Glasnow,” McKain said.
4. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Before the season, it would’ve been hard to imagine that the Dodgers’ ace and Opening Day starting pitcher would be in the bottom half of the rotation, but that’s just how strong the Dodgers’ starting pitching is.
“Yama and Glasnow are really close; it’s Yama after Glasnow though,” McKain said.
Yamamoto (3-2) has an ERA of 3.09, WHIP of 1.008 and 40 strikeouts on the season.
5. Roki Sasaki
Now we’re getting into the post-Snell-return danger zone, though Roki Sasaki’s potential puts him slightly ahead of Sheehan, according to McKain.
“I think Roki still has some more upside there,” McKain said.
Sasaki (1-3) has an ERA of 5.97, WHIP of 1.674 and 26 strikeouts.
6. Emmet Sheehan
While Sasaki may have a slightly higher potential, Sheehan’s stats, while not great, are currently better than Sasaki’s.
Sheehan (2-1) has an ERA of 5.23, WHIP of 1.323 and 36 strikeouts.
That said, Sasaki has shown some progression as the season has gone on.
Do you think Sasaki or Sheehan will be moved to make way for Snell’s return?