The Dodgers lose badly to the Angels, and Bobby Miller is still not ready for October.
However, their late-season results would need to support it if they wanted to be taken seriously in October. So far, only one person has responded to the bell.
Buehler has made a comeback and stated that he feels more like his former self after back-to-back strong starts, while Miller’s disappointing sophomore campaign may have reached a new low with Wednesday night’s 10-1 loss to the Angels in Anaheim.
After giving up seven runs in five innings, including five in the opening inning, Miller declared, “I’m obviously not happy about it.” But you have to wash it and forget about it when that occurs. That was what happened, and you have to go on and let it go.
Miller’s opening inning was a complete and utter bust. After walking the first batter, he hit the next one. He let two runs score on consecutive singles before hitting Mickey Moniak with a three-run home run on his first pitch. Before Miller could record his first out, the score was already 5-0.
Manager Dave Roberts stated, “It has to be better, and he knows that.” “You just can’t let us get behind the eight-ball and go out there and give up five runs.”
From then on, the 25-year-old right-hander’s situation only slightly improved. Although he struck out eight batters, he also gave up three walks and two more home runs, one to Taylor Ward in the fifth inning and another to Niko Kavadas, a designated hitter for.079 who was hitting in the second inning.
Following his five-inning, seven-run start, Miller has made 11 appearances this season with an ERA of 7.79, more than twice as high as his 3.76 ERA from his impressive 2023 debut.
After the three-run home run, Miller, who has given up 15 home runs in less than 50 innings this season, felt like he had really locked it back in. “I wish I could get locked back in without having to hit a home run every time.”
Miller has a short window of opportunity to salvage his miserable 2024 season and position himself as a postseason candidate, despite Roberts’ announcement that Miller would start his next game on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs.
“Performance matters in this specific instance, Bobby, given where we are with certain players right now,” Roberts stated.”Since the material is present—as we have demonstrated—it is not relevant. As I’ve said a lot, performance is crucial. You have to do something and give us a chance.
A recurring problem for the rookie star of the previous season, Miller was penalized for fastballs he shot over the plate (his four-seamer averaged 98.3 mph, but earned zero whiffs). Miller also failed to command his secondary pitches.
What Roberts said about Miller and catcher Austin Barnes was, “I don’t think they used his secondary pitches—the slider, the changeup, and the curveball—the right way to protect the fastball.” “Very predictable to a team that hits fastballs aggressively.”
Despite downplaying the effects of a knee issue that has dogged him since he returned from a two-month midseason break due to inflammation in his shoulder, Miller also appeared out of rhythm with somewhat irregular mechanics.
Miller commented, “Today it felt really good, way better than it did last week.” Regretfully, today was merely a bad first inning. That is excellent news for the Dodgers, as they will soon have more pitching depth.
Yamamoto will make his first start on Tuesday after suffering an injured rotator cuff on June 15. The right-handed rookie Japanese pitcher only pitched two innings in his most recent rehab start on Tuesday with triple-A Oklahoma City, but after he tossed 53 pitches—including 17 in one at-bat against former MLB All-Star Omar Narváez—the team felt comfortable enough to invite him back.
Yamamoto was 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA before suffering an injury. “The way we’re looking at it is we’re going to get four starts from him [before the playoffs],” Roberts added. “We’ll be prepared to go above and beyond if we can accumulate volume and log four starts.”
With Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes staring on glumly, Angels center right Mickey Moniak celebrates his three-run home run with Anthony Rendon. Tyler Glasnow, the star player on staff, is also getting better from his elbow tendonitis. According to Roberts, he threw a flat-ground session prior to Wednesday’s game and might start throwing bullpen sessions once more this weekend.
Buehler and Miller may not be necessary in the Dodgers’ postseason rotation if they return in time for October (or Clayton Kershaw, who is still playing catch despite a bone spur on his left big toe). Gavin Stone and Jack Flaherty have been more reliable than both thus far this season.
That being said, there’s still a good chance that spots will open up in the postseason given the Dodgers’ luck with injuries this season. Buehler has given cause for hope for the past week. In contrast, Miller is starting again from scratch. Roberts remarked, “We found ourselves in a difficult situation.” Luckily, he managed to last five innings. However, the harm was undoubtedly done