Player Reviews for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023: Lance Lynn
With Chicago, the seasoned right-hander began the season with a 6.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and an on-base plus slugging percentage allowed of.837. Lynn continued to pile up strikeouts; throughout his first 21 starts, he recorded 10.83 strikeouts per nine innings.
Due mostly to a dearth of big-name movement, Lynn was well-known during the Trade Deadline. By sending Nick Nastrini as the top prospect in a trade that sent the experienced right-hander and Joe Kelly out west and into a postseason chase, the Dodgers took a chance on him.
Following four games, Lynn had a 3-0 record, a 1.50 ERA, and 25 strikeouts in his four outings with his new team. Though he did give up four home runs, the run did not continue.
Lynn had a 4.36 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a.238 batting average allowed during his time with the Dodgers. He allowed 16 in his final 11 starts of the season after getting bitten by the long ball in the second half, continuing a pattern he had to cope with the whole season.
In the third inning of Game 3 of the National League Division Series, Lynn gave up four home runs to the Dodgers after being started by them. The Arizona Diamondbacks swept the series 3-0 thanks to his effort, which sent the team home.
Lance Lynn’s 2023 high point
On June 18, while pitching for the White Sox against the Seattle Mariners, he recorded his finest start of the year with 16 strikeouts in seven innings.
Despite giving up three runs in the game, the right-hander’s high strikeout total throughout the 2023 regular season was the most of any starting pitcher.
Perspective for 2024
With a one-year contract for $11 million and club options through the 2025 season, the 36-year-old joined the St. Louis Cardinals team.
He rejoins the team from whence he was selected in 2008. For a Cardinals rotation that was in dire need of innings last season, he should keep starting and devouring innings, but at this stage of his career, Lynn is unlikely to be anything more than a back-end starter.