Fansided

Who is your MLB team’s unsung hero so far this season

By Brad Weiss

DENVER, CO - APRIL 25: Trevor Story
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 12: Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Ross Stripling (68) throws a pitch in the first inning during a Major League Baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 12, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 12: Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Ross Stripling (68) throws a pitch in the first inning during a Major League Baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 12, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Dodgers: Ross Stripling

Last season, the Los Angels Dodgers were the kings of the National League, making it all the way to the World Series to take on the Houston Astros. While the Dodgers eventually lost in the Fall Classic to the Astros, it became clear that they have the talent to be a perennial contender in the National League, and could be hoisting the World Series trophy one day as well.

This season, the Dodgers have hung around in the NL West race, and during the trade deadline, they made sure they pulled off a move to strength themselves for a return to the World Series. The Dodgers were the big winners of the Manny Machado sweepstakes, and they decided to throw in second baseman Brian Dozier for good measure.

Throughout the season, Los Angeles has gotten some great starting pitching, even with Clayton Kershaw missing a bunch of time due to injury. One arm that has really been clutch throughout is Ross Stripling, and it is because of guys like him  that the Dodgers were able to stay in this thing without their ace.

Stripling has done everything the Dodgers have asked for this season, as he has been used as both a starter, and a reliever. In 110 innings of work, he has struck out 121 batters, while posting and earned run average of 2.62.

For his efforts, Stripling was named to the All-Star Game, the first time he has received such an honor in his career. While Los Angeles is full of stars, and Stripling is not the first one you usually name, he has certainly been the team’s unsung hero this season, and should play a big role come playoff time.

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