The Los Angeles Dodgers comfortably won Monday night’s series opener against the New York Mets, blanking them 4-0. That was behind the brilliance of left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who has looked terrific so far this season in LA’s rotation.
Wrobleski tossed eight scoreless innings, surrendering just two hits while striking out two batters. He also didn’t surrender a single free pass. Following his lights-out performance, Wrobleski was asked what the “secret” was to shutting down a powerful, yet struggling Mets offense. Apparently, there wasn’t one. He simply stayed aggressive and attacked each hitter.
“I don’t think there’s any secret to it,” Wrobleski said, via The Athletic. “I think a lot of being a good pitcher and preventing runs is kind of knowing where you’re at in the game, knowing where you got in the lineup. … We were hitting the ball well, so just kind of being like, ‘All right, now we got this four-run lead. Let’s attack.’”
The Dodgers gave Wrobleski a four-run cushion by the top of the fourth inning. He had every chance to go right at each New York batter. After all, the Mets entered Monday’s game having failed to score a run in two of their last three games. They were also hitting just .236 off southpaws.
Justin Wrobleski Running With His Opportunity in Los Angeles Dodgers’ Rotation
Wrobleski has made three appearances in 2026, including two starts. He allowed just one earned run across five innings against the Toronto Blue Jays last week, the same team he faced in the World Series last fall — but as a reliever.
While injuries to Gavin Stone and Blake Snell gave Wrobleski the chance to make the big league roster out of Spring Training, he’s making a case as the Dodgers’ sixth starter. The former Clemson standout allowed just one runner to reach base through his first seven innings on Monday, and ultimately exited with only 90 pitches thrown. Wrobleski lowered his season ERA to 2.12.
Even though Wrobleski has just two solid pitches right now in the fastball and slider, he’s commanding them well, and he really impressed pitching coach Mark Prior in the win over NY:
“I think it’s just the strike ability, strike throwing ability to be in the zone, to fill it up, attack,” Prior said. “All those things that you talk about, but it’s easier said than to actually go out there and do it against big league teams. … He was pretty special to watch (tonight).”
Can Wrobleski Stick in Rotation?
GettyJustin Wrobleski of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
If Wrobleski continues to pound the strike zone like he is, there will definitely be a place for him in this rotation. However, things could get complicated when Snell and Stone return. Nevertheless, the lefty is dealing right now, and he just carved up one of the richest and most talented lineups in baseball. Plus, the Jays are once again seen as a World Series contender, and he ripped through them.
It may have taken Wrobleski longer than expected to find his footing at the big league level after ranking as one of the Dodgers’ top minor league prospects, but with each passing start, he’s proving just how valuable he really is.
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