KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ben Casparius has become Shohei Ohtani’s other half.
Ohtani is scheduled to make his third start as a pitcher on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals – and Casparius is expected to make his third appearance in a ‘bulk’ role behind Ohtani.
“I just think it’s sort of fallen out that way – with Shohei’s work days, with Ben when he’s been online. It’s just sort of worked out that way,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the pairing. “Actually when we chose to build Ben up as a starter, that was independent of Shohei. Then it just kind of worked out that way.”
Casparius had earned that opportunity by being one of the Dodgers’ more effective relievers in a versatile role. He had a 2.93 ERA over his first 40 innings this season, pitching more than one inning in 14 of 21 appearances.
He made one start, holding the San Diego Padres to one run over four innings, before slipping into the pairing with Ohtani where he hasn’t been as effective – five runs allowed over 8⅔ innings.
“With Shohei coming off rehab, I think it fits kind of perfectly,” Casparius said. “If he’s got 30 pitches or whatever – I don’t know what his pitch count is but he’s gone one inning twice. I’ve got 70,80 pitches. You get six innings out of your starter, that’s usually what we’re trying to do.”
Primarily a starter throughout his minor-league career, Casparius made it to the majors last season pitching out of the bullpen. Doing the same behind Othani does not take any major adjustment, he said.
“I’m just trying to keep everything simple,” he said. “It’s the same mindset. But at the same time, trying to navigate three times through a lineup, trying to find ways to get creative, mix up where I’m locating my fastball.
“I felt like I broke in in the bullpen which was pretty new for me, in general. This is just something where it’s a team need, obviously with a higher pitch count, being able to go into the fifth or sixth inning, whatever it is. I’ve been doing that my whole career. It’s not really new to me. Obviously doing it at the big-league level is challenging. But I think every time out there, I’m learning more about myself, my arsenal and what we’re trying to do.”
Ohtani has faced a total of nine batters in his two innings so far with pitch counts of 28 and 18. He could see the second inning for the first time Saturday.
“I think that’s the hope,” Roberts said. “I don’t want to put him in a box but, yeah, to see him go out there for a second inning that’s our hope.”
But the Dodgers are still in no hurry to stretch Ohtani out to a full starter’s workload.
“The great thing about where we’re at, and honestly speaking, is we just don’t have to be beholden to anything,” Roberts said. “Because everything is additive with his innings. It’s not taking up a roster spot where if you’re not getting five or six out of a starter, it could be costly. You get an inning, two innings, three innings, that’s still additive. So I just think honestly, for us, it’s one outing at a time and see what’s next.
“Having the option to do whatever we want, given whatever our roster looks like … that’s the beauty of Shohei being able to pitch.”
LEFT OUT
Kiké Hernandez made his 20th start against a left-handed pitcher Friday night. It’s the platoon role Hernandez has filled over several years with the Dodgers.
But he is not living up to his history against left-handers. Going into Friday’s game, he has hit just .177 with a .650 OPS against lefties this season – well below his career standards of .251 and .783.
Roberts acknowledged that “part of his role on the team is to be productive versus left-handed pitchers” and the manager is committed to giving him opportunities to rediscover that production.
“I am, for now,” Roberts said. “He’s shown it throughout his career. I think that giving (Michael) Conforto a day here or there versus a lefty, giving Max (Muncy) a day here or there versus a lefty, I think that makes a lot of sense.”
UP NEXT
Dodgers (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 0-0, 4.50 ERA) at Royals (RHP Seth Lugo, 4-5, 2.93 ERA), Saturday, 1:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA, 570 AM