Justin

Wrobleski

Wrobleski left with a 2-0 lead, but that was blown by Will Klein and Alex Vesia in the eighth before Tanner Scott lost the game in the ninth. Wrobleski averaged 95.4 mph with his fastball tonight, which was 1.6 mph above his season average. It’s his second straight outing with a season high in that department, as he came in at 94.9 mph last week against the Phillies. There was good reason to think Wrobleski’s early season success was unsustainable, given his hideous strikeout rate, but with his velocity and his whiff rate up, he’d seem to have a much sturdier foundation now. He’ll face the Pirates next week.

Wrobleski’s only blemish was a solo homer by Kyle Schwarber. The 25-year-old bounced back nicely from his rough outing against the Brewers where he gave up five runs in as many innings, and he pounded the strike zone with zero walks and 63-of-88 pitches landing. Wrobleski is now 7-2 on the season, and he’s earned that mark with a 2.87 ERA over the first two months of the campaign. He’s set to face the Diamondbacks on Thursday

It was a rough start to the game for Wrobleski, who allowed the first three batters he faced to reach base. The third batter to reach base, William Contreras, did so via a three-run homer to give the Brewers an early 3-0 lead. He would allow one more run in the frame thanks to a sac fly by Sal Frelick, and gave up one more run in the second inning on an RBI double by Andrew Vaughn. Wrobleski wouldn’t allow another run over the next three innings, but the damage had been done and the Dodgers managed just one run on the evening. Wrobleski has been solid for most of the season, but has allowed five earned runs in two of his last three starts. Although, it’s worth nothing both of those starts game against two of the league’s top offenses. He gets a more favorable matchup in his next outing, which is scheduled for Wednesday against the Rockies.

Wrobleski was coming off his bizarre seven-run, 8 2/3 inning effort against Atlanta on Mother’s Day. This was much more straightforward, and more effective. He allowed seven hits, walked one and struck out five in another solid effort from the 25-year-old; even while not generating many swings and misses (8). He’ll be back on the mound and try and lower his 2.49 ERA against the Brewers over the weekend. That start is scheduled for Saturday, but the Dodgers may choose to shuffle the rotation a bit.

What year is this? Wrobleski is the first pitcher since Zach Wheeler in 2021 to go at least eight innings and allow seven runs. But only five of Wheeler’s seven were earned. He’s the first since Alex Cobb in 2012 to go at least eight innings with seven earned runs, and he’s the first since Carlos Silva in 2006 to go 8 2/3 innings with seven runs allowed. With one more out, it could have been the first nine-inning complete game with seven runs allowed since Bobby Witt threw 151 pitches on the final day of the 1993 season. Although that would have required him giving up a couple of more hits first; it was actually 5-2 when he was pulled after unfortunately hitting Mike Yastrzemski in the helmet. Wyatt Mills replaced him and allowed two inherited runners to score before finishing the game. Wrobleski, who allowed seven hits and walked one today, threw a mere 100 pitches. He actually struck out seven, besting his previous season high by one. He fell to 5-1 with a 2.42 ERA. He’s due to face the Angels next.

It’s a wonder how Wrobleski continues to get the job done despite a lack of strikeouts. He had another excellent day on the mound, holding the Cardinals scoreless over six frames. He scattered six hits and one walk with zero strikeouts. The 25-year-old left-hander ends the day with a 1.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 15/10 K/BB ratio across 36 innings. Wrobleski lines up for a home start against the Braves next Sunday.

It’s fair to say that Wrobleski was squeezed at times during this outing, but he did struggle to throw strikes as seen in four walks and just 62-of-109 pitches landing in the zone. He was able to pick up six strikeouts, but it’s worth noting that he generated just seven swings-and-misses before exiting. Still, the results are the results, and Wrobleski continues to limit the damage to the tune of a 1.50 ERA with a 4-0 record. He’ll look to improve both against the Cardinals next weekend.

Wrobleski did strike out three, but he was fortunate to limit the damage to just one run. He allowed eight hits in the contest, and 12 balls off Colorado bats registered as hard contact. That’s 22 hard-hit balls allowed in his last two starts, and he’s allowed only one run in the process. The 25-year-old will look to keep the good run — and potentially, the good luck — going against the Cubs on Sunday.

Wrobleski only struck out two, but he didn’t walk anyone while giving up just a pair of singles. There were 10 balls hit off the 25-year-old that were considered hard hits, but his ability to command the strike zone a long with a smidgen of luck carried the way against the anemic Mets’ lineup. Wrobleski will likely make at least one more start, and it would be Monday in Colorado against the Rockies.

Wrobleski’s first start produced his first win of the year. He mostly just stuck with the fastball and slider tonight, throwing one of the other 69 times in the 78-pitch outing. He had a poor 19-percent CSW, but just four of 15 balls in play against him were hard-hit and only two produced hits. Wrobleski will probably get another start next week against the Mets, assuming that he isn’t needed in long relief this weekend. The Dodgers will probably want him available behind Roki Sasaki on Sunday just in case.