The Los Angeles Dodgers have a sterling reputation for helping pitchers revive their careers, which was a significant factor in Noah Syndergaard signing a one-year, $13 million contract after spending 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies.
Despite not pitching at the same level of his hard-throwing days with the New York Mets, Syndergaard had a robust market and turned down more lucrative offers to sign with the Dodgers.
“Everything that they touch turns to gold,” Syndergaard said during his introductory interview after signing.
But the right-hander went on to struggle with the Dodgers and was traded to the Cleveland Guardians for Amed Rosario. On Tuesday, Syndergaard faced his former team and had a relatively successful start.
After pitching six innings and turning in a quality start, Syndergaard acknowledged it was satisfying because of his overall struggles this season, Mandy Bell of MLB.com:
“That one just felt really good for me on a personal level, and then just as a team, [too],” Syndergaard said.
However, Syndergaard also admitted to having mixed emotions pitching against the Dodgers:
“It’s a bittersweet moment pitching against the Dodgers just because I formed a lot of friends and brothers over there,” Syndergaard said. “[I’m] reminded of the good in it, but also the bad. I’m reminded that I wasn’t successful over there. Just going over here and having a nice reset I think is really good for me.”
While with L.A., the 30-year-old went 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA, 5.54 FIP and 1.45 WHIP in 12 starts. His ERA was the third-highest mark by a Dodgers pitcher through their first 12 starts of a season.
Only Hideo Nomo (7.26 in 2004) and Carlos Pérez (7.25 in 1999) had higher ERAs than Syndergaard over such a stretch. His time with the Dodgers ended while on the 15-day injured list due to a lingering finger/blister issue and the team looking to provide him with a mental reset.
Since joining the Guardians, Syndergaard is 1-2 with a 4.94 ERA, 6.71 FIP and 1.32 WHIP in five starts.
Dodgers struggle against Noah Syndergaard
Mookie Betts opened the game with a single to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and he reached safely in all three plate appearances against Syndergaard while adding two stolen bases.
Will Smith hit a two-run home run in the first inning, but overall the Dodgers mustered just five baserunners against their former teammate.
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