Here’s how Lodolo can turn his 2024 season around.
TORONTO — With Hunter Greene on the injured list because of a sore right elbow, the rest of the Reds’ rotation has no choice but to pick him up. For one starter in particular — Nick Lodolo — that would require a big turnaround, and it needs to happen quickly.
Lodolo, who was Cincinnati’s best-performing starter earlier in the season, has been mired in a very rough stretch.
“I’ve got to be that guy, to go out there and win the game,” Lodolo said Saturday after his worst start of the season vs. the Royals, a 13-1 defeat. “I know I can do that. I’ve proven I can do that. It’s just a matter of me doing it.”
Over his first 11 starts, Lodolo was 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA, 51 hits, 15 walks, 70 strikeouts and six home runs allowed over 65 1/3 innings. But on June 23 vs. the Red Sox, a five-start win streak was halted during a lackluster outing in a 7-4 loss. Lodolo gave up four runs (three earned) over 4 2/3 innings.
Two days later, Lodolo went on the IL (for the third time this season) because of a blister on his left index finger. After missing three starts, he simply hasn’t been the same since.
That culminated in his disastrous performance vs. Kansas City. Lodolo threw a season-low 2 1/3 innings and tied a career high with eight earned runs allowed.
“I’m working on some things mechanically and stuff like that,” said Lodolo, who is 9-5 with a 4.55 ERA in 20 starts. “It’s just unacceptable to throw the ball like that. Nothing crazy to work on. I’ve just got to find a way to be better.”
Over his last eight starts since returning from the blister, Lodolo is 1-2 with a 7.30 ERA. Over 40 2/3 innings, he has allowed 43 hits and 15 walks with 40 strikeouts and six homers. The blister, he says, is not an issue.
“My finger is fine. There’s no question I haven’t thrown the ball the same since it happened,” Lodolo said. “I’m just trying to get it back on track. Just keep showing up and putting in the work.”
With the aid of Statcast data and reporter Thomas Harrigan helping me go under the hood, it’s clear that Lodolo hasn’t had command of his curveball. When it’s working well, it’s one of the best in baseball. When it’s not, well …
“I don’t think it has quite the teeth,” Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson said on Tuesday. “You’re seeing ones that are either more hittable or they’re not going to chase it the way they normally do.”
