The Los Angeles Dodgers have been nothing short of dominant on the mound this postseason, and their recent sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) only cements their status as the team to beat. In a four-game stretch that left fans and analysts alike in awe, the Dodgers’ starting pitchers allowed just four runs, setting a new all-time team record for a championship series rotation with a microscopic 0.63 ERA over 28.2 innings. That’s not just good—it’s historic.
Let’s break down the numbers that have everyone talking. Blake Snell kicked things off with a dazzling eight-inning performance, giving up only one hit, no earned runs, and striking out 10 without a single walk. Yoshinobu Yamamoto followed with nine innings of three-hit ball, surrendering just one earned run and fanning seven. Tyler Glasnow kept the momentum rolling, pitching 5.2 innings with three hits, one earned run, three walks, and eight strikeouts. And then, in a display that had Dodger Stadium buzzing, two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani delivered six innings of two-hit, shutout baseball, walking three and striking out 10. That’s a combined 0.63 ERA for the quartet—an all-time heater by any measure.
But the Dodgers’ pitching prowess isn’t just a postseason phenomenon. Over their last 32 games, the starting rotation has been on a tear, tossing 180.1 innings with a 1.45 ERA and racking up 232 strikeouts. Opponents have managed a paltry .417 OPS against them during this stretch. For context, compare those numbers to the season stats of Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace and likely Cy Young winner. In his 32 starts this year, Skenes posted a 1.97 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 216 strikeouts, 42 walks, and a .558 OPS allowed over 187.2 innings. As impressive as Skenes has been, the Dodgers’ staff has outperformed even his stellar campaign over the past month.
The Dodgers’ rotation depth has given them a clear edge as they await their World Series opponent, which will be either the Toronto Blue Jays or the Seattle Mariners. With their starters rested and firing on all cylinders, the Dodgers are poised to make a serious run at another championship. As noted in a recent analysis, “the plan was to be playoff-ready in 2025,” and the numbers suggest that strategy is paying off in spades.
Meanwhile, the spotlight on elite pitching extends beyond Los Angeles. Across the country, the New York Yankees made headlines ahead of Thursday’s MLB trade deadline with an audacious—if ultimately unsuccessful—bid to pry Paul Skenes away from the Pirates. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees were willing to include top outfield prospect Spencer Jones in a package for Skenes, a testament to just how valuable the young right-hander has become in only his second big-league season.
The Pirates, however, slammed the door on any Skenes discussions, making it clear they have no intention of trading the former No. 1 pick. Skenes, who owns a 1.89 ERA over his first 45 MLB starts, isn’t even eligible for salary arbitration until 2027. Pittsburgh’s front office is determined to build around him, knowing full well that moving such a cornerstone talent would send shockwaves through their fan base and the sport at large. “If the Pirates traded him, he would be the most coveted player in the entire sport,” Heyman wrote. But for now, that’s just not happening.
The Yankees didn’t leave the deadline empty-handed, though. They managed to bolster their rotation by acquiring a two-time All-Star pitcher, continuing their recent trend of strengthening the bullpen with moves like bringing in ex-Pirates closer and Jake Bird. Still, the pursuit of Skenes underscores how desperate teams are for top-tier pitching in today’s game—and how rare it is to find a staff performing at the level of the Dodgers’ current rotation.
For the Pirates, holding onto Skenes is about more than just numbers. The team has a reputation for dealing away stars before their salaries balloon, but with Skenes still years away from arbitration, Pittsburgh’s strategy is to keep him as the centerpiece of their rebuild. Trading him now, when he’s already established himself as one of the game’s best, would risk alienating a fan base hungry for hope and stability. “The team wants to build around Skenes, and trading the former No. 1 pick would likely cause fan interest to crater,” Heyman reported. It’s a gamble the Pirates simply aren’t willing to take.
Back in Los Angeles, the Dodgers’ pitching dominance has become the talk of the league. Their starters’ recent run—both in the NLCS and over the last 32 games—has set a new standard for excellence. The rotation’s collective 0.63 ERA in the NLCS isn’t just a statistical outlier; it’s a statement of intent. With a rested staff and the flexibility to match up against any opponent, the Dodgers are in an enviable position heading into the World Series.
Fans are left to wonder: Can anyone slow down this Dodgers juggernaut? The Blue Jays and Mariners both boast formidable lineups and solid pitching, but neither has matched the sustained dominance of the Dodgers’ starters in recent weeks. As the baseball world waits to see who will emerge from the American League, one thing is clear—the road to the championship runs through the Dodgers’ rotation.
Of course, postseason baseball is unpredictable. Hot streaks can cool, and heroes can emerge from unexpected places. But with Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow, and Ohtani leading the charge, the Dodgers have every reason to feel confident. Their blend of star power, depth, and recent performance has them primed for a potential title run, and the rest of the league is taking notice.
As the World Series approaches, all eyes will be on Los Angeles. Will their historic pitching streak continue on baseball’s biggest stage? Or will a challenger rise up to dethrone the National League’s hottest team? One thing’s for sure: with the Dodgers’ arms in this kind of form, it’s going to take something special to stop them.
The Dodgers’ starters are rested, their numbers are off the charts, and their confidence is sky-high. The World Series is within reach, and if recent history is any indication, the path to glory may well be paved by the arms of Los Angeles.
