Los Angeles Dodgers Clinch: Setting Up Their Postseason Rotation

The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the NL West Wednesday night with a 9-1 victory against the San Francisco Giants. 

While the Dodgers look like the favorite in the National League Playoffs, their postseason rotation is critical in regard to the club's October success. 

The biggest strength for L.A. over the next month will be the top of its rotation headlined by Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.  

Kershaw will likely be named the NL Cy Young and will obviously get the ball in Game 1 of the NLDS.

The southpaw has put together a historic 2014 season. With his win over the Giants Wednesday, Kershaw moved to 21-3 this season. He leads the NL in wins, strikeouts, ERA, WHIP, winning percentage and complete games. Buster Olney notes the following stat only adding to the lefty's greatness. 

But despite his domination over the past few seasons, the Dodgers ace has struggled during the postseason during his career.

In six postseason starts, Kershaw is 1-3 with a 4.23 ERA. That postseason ERA is almost two runs higher than his career ERA (2.48).

Sure his postseason sample size is small, but Kershaw's October issues must be mentioned. If L.A. is to get to the World Series, the lefty must turn around his playoff performances.  

It will not get any easier for opposing lineups in the postseason after Kershaw.

Los Angeles is also fortunate to have proved ace Zack Greinke ready to start Game 2. 

Greinke may not have produced quite the season that his teammate has, but the right-hander has put together another impressive year. His 16 wins, 2.74 ERA and 201 strikeouts rank him in the top 10 in the NL. 

Yet he too has faced his postseason demons, going 2-2 with a 4.30 ERA in six starts. 

L.A. is fortunate to have two proved aces at the top of its rotation. But the Dodgers will need to pitch like it in October in order to compensate for an inconsistent back end of the rotation. 

The remaining portion of the Dodgers' rotation is full of question marks.

Hyun-Jin Ryu will likely start in Game 3.

His numbers in 2014 are not the cause for concern. After a nice rookie season in 2013, Ryu won 14 games in 2014 with a 3.38 ERA. If healthy, the Dodgers lefty is a dependable option for a postseason rotation.

Healthy being the key word. 

Ryu has been battling shoulder issues throughout September. Dodgers beat reporter Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has reported about Ryu's status heading toward the NLDS.

For all the talk about Kershaw and Greinke, Ryu is arguably the most important pitcher for the Dodgers in October. The postseason is not the time to work off the rust, leaving Dodgers fans uncertain regarding his potential impact over the next month.  

Due to a season-ending injury to Josh Beckett, the battle for the final spot in the postseason rotation has come down to Dan Haren and Roberto Hernandez.  

Haren barely held on to his spot in the rotation during the regular season, recording a 4.03 ERA in 2014. His struggles combined with Beckett's injury pushed the Dodgers to acquire Hernandez from the Philadelphia Phillies in August.

But Hernandez has failed to get out of the sixth inning while sporting a 4.74 ERA. Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register acknowledges Hernandez's struggles. 

A 5-2 record and a 2.32 ERA in his last nine starts will likely give Haren the nod over Hernandez. But is his latest stretch a sign of changing times, or will he relapse back to his dreadful midseason form? 

Haren and Ryu and their ability to give the Dodgers quality starts will be crucial for the club this postseason.

Manager Don Mattingly showed during the 2013 playoffs that he has no problem using Kershaw or Greinke on short rest if he has little confidence in his other starters. 

But that is something that the Dodgers need to avoid.

Sure both Dodgers aces are capable of performing on short rest, but keeping them rested would be beneficial after long regular seasons.  

Yes, the Dodgers have great pitching, but the staff has its question marks. Each starter will have something to prove in the 2014 postseason.

With a potent offense, the Dodgers will go only as far as their staff will let them. A solid effort from the staff will likely lead to berth in the 2014 World Series.