Landon

Knack

Pitching behind opener Anthony Banda, Knack worked the second through fifth innings today and kept the Dodgers in a game in which they failed to score until the eighth. At this point, Knack likely rates as the Dodgers’ fourth starter in the postseason, though they could keep using openers in front of him. He’d likely get bumped if Clayton Kershaw can make it back.

Anthony Banda will get the start for the Dodgers, but then give way early to Knack. It seems likely that will be Knack’s postseason role as well, but that’s still to be determined. Knack still gets a shot at a win, but keep in mind he’s pitching in Coors Field and not likely to pile up the strikeouts.

Knack struck out four and walked only one tonight, but he was hit pretty hard when the Padres made contact. He’s due to make one more regular-season start Sunday against the Rockies at Coors Field. He’s not recommended in mixed leagues in that one.

Knack had a clear plan to challenge the Marlins and they could not make him pay. He threw a career percentage of fastballs – 60% – and the bulk of them wound up in the heart of the plate. Yet, Miami either swung through them or just let them whiz by for a called strike. Knack did get that pitch up to 96 MPH which is a few ticks above his season average and apparently that was enough for it to dominate. He’s scheduled to face the Padres at home next time out.

It’s Knack’s first real misstep this year, as he came in with a 3.00 ERA in nine starts and two relief appearances. His velocity was good tonight, but eight of the 11 balls in play against him were hard hit, with two of them going for homers. He figures to stay in the rotation and face the Marlins next. That matchup makes him a perfectly fine option in mixed leagues.

Knack allowed just three hits while striking out eight against one walk. He hurled five scoreless innings before allowing a two-run homer in the sixth to Andres Gimenez, and unfortunately that gave him a loss with Matthew Boyd shutting down the Los Angeles lineup. Knack has looked excellent in his limited time in 2024, and could start again Friday against Atlanta.

Knack will make his first MLB start in three weeks tonight against the Guardians. He has a 3.00 ERA in eight starts and two relief appearances for the Dodgers this season.

Knack will take the rotation spot of Clayton Kershaw (toe) for at least one time through the order. The right-hander has pitched well in his 10 appearances with the Dodgers — eight of those appearances starts — with a 3.00 ERA over 48 innings and 44/12 K/BB in that timeframe. He’s absolutely worth roster consideration for those needing help in the SP categories.

As anticipated, with Walker Buehler returning from the injured list to join the Dodgers’ rotation on Wednesday, there simply was no longer room for Knack on the active roster. The 27-year-old hurler will head back to Triple-A where he’ll start every fifth day until the Dodgers need him once again.

Knack is taking the roster spot of River Ryan after Ryan was placed on the injured list. The right-hander should be inline for starts, but there’s no word yet as to when he’ll be deployed.