The Return of Schmidt

It has been well over two years since the Dodgers opened up their wallets and inked a three-year $47 deal with former Giant Jason Schmidt. The results have not been pretty. Coming into this season, Schmidt has started a total of six games with a one and four record (not to mention an ERA over six). With his injury ridden poor output so far, Schmidt’s return Monday has a great deal of Dodger fans wondering what Jason Schmidt they were going to see.

Things started off rocky for the veteran righty. Lead-off man Willy Taveras ripped a subpar fastball for a triple. Jerry Haiston Jr. followed with a double scoring Tarveras. Later in the inning, Brandon Phillips singled to deep right (it was scored a single even though it was a very catchable ball Andre Ethier let drop in front of him). Three runs were quickly on the board. The blowout looked inevitable at this point. Schmidt, however, wiggled out of the inning without giving up another run.

With Schmidt doing a good job of damage control in the top half of the first, the Dodgers came storming back in the bottom with four runs. Schmidt took the mound in the second looking like a completely different pitcher. His velocity on his fastball went from the low to mid 80’s to around 87 or 88 (by no means the overpowering Schmidt we have seen in the past, but still effective). Most importantly, though, was the fact he was able to get his curve over for strikes. In the first the hitters were sitting on his below average fastball. With his ability to get his curve over, he was able to keep them honest the rest of the way.

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Schmidt only went five innings, but earned his first win in over a year (with the help of seven runs of support). He answered a lot of questions too. He is not the Schmidt we saw strikeout 200 guys a year or win 18 games. He is a serviceable number five starter that can give you a decent chance to win. With the season the Dodgers are having, that is all they really need Jason Schmidt to be.

By: Charles Dimino
Los Angeles Dodgers Correspondent

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