“Using this failure as motivation for my next outing” - Bobby Miller opens up on disastrous start in a positive manner after Dodgers’ terrible loss
Bobby Miller, the starting pitcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers, reflected on his latest poor outing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, saying that he will use it as a motivation for his next game. Miller said that he's not having any issues physically right now but needs to iron out a few flaws in his delivery.
Bobby Miller had an excellent rookie campaign in 2023, making 22 starts for the Dodgers and finishing the year with an 11-4 record and 3.76 ERA. This season, he was placed on the IL in April due to a shoulder injury before returning to action last month, but his performances on the mound have been mediocre since then.
On Tuesday evening, he gave up nine runs in just 4.0 innings, including a grand slam, as the Los Angeles Dodgers got hammered 10-1 by the Philadelphia Phillies. Miller said after the game about his recent struggles.
"Mainly, it was execution and fighting to get back into counts. When you come up against a line-up like that and you pull unexecuted pitches, they will put good swings on it every time," said Bobby Miller.
"It's been tough. It really has. I am just using this failure as motivation for my next outing. I've been getting into 2-0 counts. Not putting guys out fast. Obviously, the velocity is a little down, too. My stuff is just not having enough bite to it," Miller said.
He added:
"I can't tell you (what is wrong). The shoulder is quite strong right now. Done testing on that. My shoulder is really strong right now. So it is probably just mechanics. Just a little bit of everything. I'm still trying to figure that out."
Following the battering against the Phillies, Miller has allowed 24 hits and 19 earned runs in four games since returning from injury.
I have got to get ahead of guys and put them away fast: Bobby Miller
On being asked what he needed to work on to get back on track, Bobby Miller said that he has to work on executing his pitches better and taking advantage when he gets two strikes on the opposing hitters.
"Just execution and getting ahead in the counts against the batters. Just be in attack mode; that's when I am at my best. I have got to get ahead of guys and put them away fast, instead of getting to 0-2 and then working into a 3-2. That's the biggest takeaway," Miller said.
It will be interesting to see if the Dodgers decide to keep Bobby Miller in the starting rotation or send him to AAA to work on his mechanics and get his confidence back.