2017 Dodgers In Review: LHP Alex Wood

	IP	K%	BB%	HR/9	ERA	FIP	xFIP	WAR
MLB	152.1	24.6	6.2	0.89	2.72	3.32	3.34	3.4

What Happened In 2017: Had a career year, in spite of a pair of DL stints.

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Alex Wood‘s role heading into the 2017 wasn’t entirely clear. Would he be a starter, or would he pitch out of the bullpen? After a couple of early season relief appearances, Wood made the switch to the rotation for the rest of the year. And for quite some time, Wood was nothing short of excellent.

In Wood’s first May start, he allowed five runs (four earned) to the Giants. After that, he didn’t allow any runs for the remainder of the month. Wood ended up with 41 strikeouts versus 7 walks in 28 1/3 May innings, and was recognized as the National League Pitcher Of The Month. Less fortunately for Wood, May also ended with a trip to the disabled list for left SC joint inflammation. After nearly two weeks missed, Wood returned and continued to dominate. In six starts from June 10 to July 15, Wood allowed just six earned runs in 38 2/3 IP, striking out 41 versus eight walks.

Although he didn’t have enough innings to qualify for the leaderboard, Wood had a 1.67 ERA at the All-Star break, easily the best in baseball among starters with a minimum of 80 IP. Unsurprisingly, he was named to the NL All-Star roster. Wood pitched the fifth inning of the game, and allowed a run on a pair of hits.

It was late July when Wood began struggling. In his final two starts of that month, Wood allowed 13 runs (11 earned) in 11 2/3 IP. Most concerningly, there was a notable downturn in Wood’s fastball velocity. Although Wood got better results in August, he hit the DL again towards the end of the month with the same SC joint issue. He once again missed nearly two weeks, and struggled in his first couple of starts back. Wood managed to finish the season strong, though, with just a combined four runs allowed in his final three starts, and each start lasting six innings.

When the time came for the postseason, Wood slotted in as the Dodgers’ No. 4 starter, so he was not needed in the Division Series at all. His Game 4 start in the Championship Series was the first postseason start of his career; he allowed three runs in 4 2/3 IP, as the Dodgers went on to lose 3-2.

Wood made two appearances in the World Series, including the Game 4 start. Wood provided some drama by taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning; ultimately, he allowed just one run in 5 2/3 IP on the way to a 6-2 Dodger victory.

Wood also pitched the final two innings of Game 7. He retired all six batters he faced.

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2018 Status: Making $6 million and serving as the Dodgers’ No. 3 starter. Will be arbitration eligible for the final time at the end of the season.