There are always tough decisions to make when constructing an MLB roster, particularly for the postseason. However, leaving pitcher Alex Wood off the list shouldn’t be one of them for the Dodgers.
Wood just wrapped up an injury riddled 2020 where he finished with the worst ERA (6.39) and WHIP (1.82) of his career. But let’s be fair, it was only 12.2 IP. To be judicious, we’ll expunge 2020 from his record and say Wood owns a 4.08 ERA over his last 187.1 IP (2018-2019).
For a team with championship aspirations, that level of inconsistency just won’t cut it.
Especially when the margin for error is thinner than ever in a best-of-three Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. And when the Dodgers have a cadre of impactful, young arms to deploy: Gonzalez, May, Urias, Gonsolin, and Graterol. And when they’re most likely going to gamble on Joe Kelly and, of course, Pedro Baez.
Parlaying Wood with Kelly and Baez, and expecting them all to perform, is a losing proposition with long odds.
Pedro Baez might be the only reliever less deserving of a spot on the 2020 playoff roster than Alex Wood. They both have something in common – the front office believes that they’ll magically return to peak form if the Dodgers just wait long enough.
Led by Alex Wood’s stellar start, @Dodgers fire 2-hitter – allowing fewest hits in a road #WorldSeries tilt since @Yankees in 1999 (Game 1). pic.twitter.com/r9z3wjhUfQ
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 29, 2017
The 2017 World Series hero version of Alex Wood is not coming back. Yes, he deserves every bit of credit for manically switching signs to thwart the Houston Asterisks. That was then, this is now.
And the now is a complicated, frenetic delivery that hasn’t yielded positive results in three years. Too many walks and too many hits. Adding Alex Wood to the playoff roster would be the biggest oversight since Seager forgot to cover third in the 2015 NLDS.
Who Takes His Place?
At the time of publishing this article, the Dodgers have yet to announce their playoff roster for the Wild Card round. However, one bit of news could potentially lead to some speculation on who may need an active roster spot before 7 PM PT.
Terrance Gore likely on #Dodgers roster for Wild Card series.
— Clint Pasillas (FRG) (@realFRG) September 29, 2020
Moreover, Dave Roberts had mentioned the likelihood of the club carrying fewer pitchers in the postseason. All in all, it may be an unfortunately wasted season for Alex Wood.
NEXT: Dave Roberts Gearing Up for Tough Conversations with Roster
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September 30, 2020 at 08:00PM
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Dodgers: Why Alex Wood Shouldn’t Be On the Playoff Roster - Dodgers Nation
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