Bobby

Miller

The Dodgers decided against giving Miller one last shot following his two-inning start against the Marlins last night. It’s probably for the best. Miller had given up 17 earned runs in 11 1/3 innings this month, taking his ERA up to 8.52. We’re assuming we won’t see him again this season, and it’s going to be hard to recommend him as a sleeper next year before seeing how he throws in March.

Only four of the 11 balls in play against Miller were hit hard, but he surrendered seven hits anyway. He didn’t often get batters to chase, and he failed to get whiffs when the batters did offer; his 65 pitches produced 23 swings and just two misses. Even with the Dodgers staff as decimated as it is, it’s going to be really difficult to justify starting Miller in October. He might have just one more chance to earn a spot in a start against San Diego next Tuesday.

Miller gave up two runs in the first, walking two batters before giving up two hits. Seiya Suzuki would later take him deep for a solo homer in the third. Cody Bellinger then slugged a three-run homer off Miller in the fifth, knocking him from the game with one out. The 25-year-old right-hander has posted a 8.17 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, and a 50/29 K/BB ratio across 54 innings. He’s currently in line for a matchup against the Marlins in Miami on Tuesday.

The Angels got to Miller quickly in this one. A walk, hit batter, and base hit loaded the bases before Anthony Rendon singled to bring the first two runs in to score. Mickey Moniak followed with a two-run homer, making it five runs before Miller could record an out. Niko Kavadas led off the second inning with a solo homer. Taylor Ward added a solo shot in the fifth. Miller would finish the fifth inning and exit with a 7.79 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and a 48/25 K/BB ratio across 49 2/3 innings. Should the 25-year-old right-hander get another start, it would come next week against the Cubs in Los Angeles.

Miller is good to go after dealing with a left knee issue during his previous outing against the Orioles. It’s a favorable matchup for the 25-year-old righty facing the rebuilding Angels in Los Angeles. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in two of three starts since returning to the majors back in mid-August, but the strikeout totals have been all over the map.

Miller said he tweaked his left knee during the second inning of Thursday’s start against the Orioles. He was able to stay in the game and complete five innings. Miller believes he can manage the injury for the rest of this season, but it’s something to keep an eye on for fantasy managers.

This was a really positive outing for Miller threw four scoreless innings, but in the fifth, he plunked leadoff man Eloy Jiménez, walked Ramón Urías with one out and then gave up a Colton Cowser homer with two outs. It was just one of two hits he allowed on the night. Miller could fall out of the Dodgers’ plans if Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow pull off successful returns next month, but he should stay in the rotation for now and face the Angels next time out.

Miller has been a disaster for most of the season, but this was a friendly reminder of the talent in his right arm. It looked like another poor start for the right-hander after he gave up homers in the first and third inning — the latter with a runner on — but he held Tampa Bay scoreless for the rest of the game. It’s hard to trust Miller and his ERA is still an ugly 7.49, but don’t forget how good he was last year. It hasn’t been announced yet, but he is in line to face the Orioles on Thursday if he sticks in the rotation.

It was an unkind return to MLB action for Miller, and unfortunately an all-too-familiar reminder of why he was sent to Oklahoma City in the first place. Two of those hits allowed were homers, and he only was able to pick up one strikeout. It’s hard to remember how good Miller looked for most of 2023 and even at times in 2024, but that version seems a like ages ago. His ERA is now 8.02 on the year.

Miller’s persistent struggles this season at the highest level remain mystifying after last year’s remarkable rookie campaign. The Dodgers will hand him the ball on Saturday evening to face the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in place of an injured Tyler Glasnow (elbow). The hard-throwing 25-year-old has been too inconsistent this year for fantasy managers to trust him, even in deeper mixed leagues. Here’s an oversimplification: we need to see him excel again before we’re willing to recommend him as a viable fantasy option again.