Los Angeles Dodgers Chris Capuano Could be Named Fifth Starter

There is no team in MLB right now with a better pitching staff than the Los Angeles Dodgers. Because of the talented and crowded pitching staff (eight starters), there is a battle going on for the fifth starter in the rotation. Chris Capuano could very well be named as fifth starter soon.

With Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw at number one and Zach Greinke firmly in the second slot, Dodger pitching is locked up. Josh Beckett and Hyun-Jin Ryu are going to be the third and fourth starters, but with those two there are variables to consider. What if Beckett can’t find his form, or reinvent himself in LA? Ryu is also not a proven MLB starter.

Capuano has been the focus of trade chatter this spring. It’s just that, chatter. Who gets rid of a big (6’3”, 215lb) lefty, who in 2012 had a 3.72 ERA (career low) and 1.220 WHIP (career low), won 12 games, and pitched 198.1 innings? Even if Capuano couldn’t lock down the fifth spot in the rotation, how much better would the Dodger bullpen be with him in it?

Capuano is a good pitcher. He proved it in 2012. Capuano walked 54 batters and had 162 SO. He also won twelve games for the Dodgers last year. Capuano is a proven product that puts the Dodgers in a better chance to win more games. That’s what this year is all about. True-Blue fans and the entire Dodger organization are shooting for the World Series.

The Dodgers indeed have a great pitching staff. I believe it’s the best in baseball, and Capuano could very well be named as the fifth starter.