Dodgers Starting Pitching Staff Equipped for the Season Without Their 5th Man

As Opening Day nears, the Dodgers still do not have their fifth starter in place, or do they?

Dodgers filled in their offense by signing Manny and Hudson to short-term deals. Though the Dodgers are still avoiding filling in the making of a true pitching staff to be a prominent contender in the west. 

The Dodgers have the offensive power to score three to five runs or more this season with a great starting lineup. Though, what about the pitching, is it capable of surviving a season without a true fifth starter?

Last year they had Penny and Lowe in the beginning of the season to proven veterans, and now both of them our gone. They also had Maddox assisting they young pitchers on how to lead your team to the seventh inning.

They also knew Takshi Siato was a decent closer.  

All they had to do was pitch six to seven innings and more than likely secure a win, especially with Broxton being the set up man.

Now Broxton moved to the closer role for the team. He will probably do a good job since he is a proven relief pitcher. 

Here is the current starting pitching staff the way it looks today, barring injury or trade.

No two players are more important to the Dodgers this year than Billingsley and Kershaw. They are two very young and talented pitchers that should play keys roles in the Dodgers' success this year. 

Chad Billingsley, a 24-year-old right-hander, was actually the 10th best starting pitcher in the majors last season.

He struck out 201 batters and improved his ERA after the All Star break to 2.99.

Though last year Chad clearly led victories, strikeouts, innings, etc., he's become the latest staff ace, even though he just turned 24. He will most likely will do even better this season.

Second in their rotation is youngster Clayton Kershaw, a lefty.  Kershaw threw 160 innings as a 20-year-old. If Kershaw is able make 30-plus starts during the season, he'll push past 200 innings pitched, unless the Dodgers limit his workload.  

Here is a kid that will continue you to improve and develop as the season gets into full swing. Expect great things, and he may be a very special pitcher to watch in the coming months. Hopefully he will continue his development to be recognized as one the great Dodger pitchers. 

The other two starters on the rotation this season are veterans. 

Hiroki Kuroda, a right-hander from Japan who might be on the decline of his career at age 34; however, he posted 31st in starting pitchers last season.

Kuroda last season was a roller coaster that continuously had its ups and downs. Kuroda does have the ability to change his speeds very well.  He has a fastball that could reach up to speeds of 97 mph and a splitter that has been recorded at mid to high 80s. This may give him an edge to beat out Billingsley in becoming the opening day starter. 

The forth starter in the Dodger rotation is Randy Wolf, a proven veteran lefty.

Wolf returns to the Dodgers having completed a full, 33-start season with two teams.

Wolf's final 12 games with Houston were among the best stretch of baseball he has thrown in years, though he still keeps you nervous when he pitches, as he can become very inconsistent at times. 

For the Dodgers, he will provide another lefty for the starting rotation. Barring an injury, he has the potential of having over 30 starts this season. 

Finally, what to do for the fifth and final spot on the rotation in the beginning of the spring. The right-handed, veteran pitcher Jason Schmidt was the preferable choice, since he seemed like his past injuries were behind him, and staying healthy was more on his mind. He last started in June 2007, so at this rate don’t really expect too many sparks out of him.   

Torre stated that Schmidt needs longer then five days between starts. It sounds like he will stay in extended spring training or start in AAA to build up arm strength. 

In this case the Dodgers may need to sign Pedro Martinez or make a trade. The most likely candidate for the fifth spot on their rotation should be Stults, since Estes, Vargas, and Milton are not looking good this spring. 

The Dodgers still look like they can possibly have a historical season, even if the current rotation maybe lacking the fifth starter on their team. As long as the pitching staff is effective, the team will succeed.