Julio Urias looks to pick up MLB-leading 19th win

For a lot of other teams across baseball, Julio Urias would be the ace of the staff. He’s been incredible this year, as he is 18-3 with an ERA of 2.99. For most teams, they would die to have those numbers from their No. 1 starter.

The Dodgers have the luxury of having those numbers from their No. 3 starter (or No. 4 depending on how you look at it).

Urias made his MLB debut all the way back in 2016, but we’re finally seeing what he’s capable of doing over the course of a full season as a starting pitcher. And I must say, it’s been pretty damn good.

While Max Scherzer and Walker Buehler have been working on their Cy Young campaigns, Urias has quietly been putting together his as well. He likely won’t finish in the top five of voting, but Urias will definitely be receiving votes this season. I know wins are a stat for your grandparents, but you can’t ignore the fact he could finish with 20 wins this season. That’s still an incredible feat.

Urias will look to continue his great season at a stadium in which he’s struggled throughout his career. Tonight he’ll make his seventh career start at Coors Field, a place where he owns a 5.45 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, as most pitchers struggle in Denver.

He’s made two starts at Coors Field this year. Urias pitched in the opening series to begin the season and had not only his best start ever at Coors, but one of the best of his career. The lefty tossed seven innings of one run ball and allowed only three hits. That’s an incredible start regardless of where you’re at, but doing it at Coors Field is essentially a complete game shutout almost. He also had six strikeouts and only one walk.

His next start didn’t go as smoothly, as he allowed four runs on seven hits in 5 ²⁄₃ innings back in July.

Since the start of July, Urias has been one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball. He’s made 13 starts, going 9-0 with an ERA of 1.80 and a FIP of 2.92. In 75 innings of work, Urias has 73 strikeouts and 17 walks.

Tonight is a huge game. The Dodgers are currently one game out of first place, but face a very good Rockies team at home. Every game moving forward is essentially a Wild-Card game, as LA can’t afford to lose with less than two weeks left this season. Luckily for the Dodgers, they have one of the best left-handed starters in the game on the mound for them.

Game info

First pitch: 5:40 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA

Opponent: Colorado Rockies

Venue: Coors Field