Dodgers seek more efficiency, longer outings from starting pitchers

PHOENIX — The math is simple. The solution is not.

If the Dodgers are going to ask less of their relievers, who lead the majors in innings pitched (167) through Thursday, the only way to do it is to ask more of their starting pitchers, who have thrown the fewest innings in the majors (167).

“It’s tough,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Each night you look back and, whether it’s Roki (Sasaki) throwing 98 pitches in five innings and I don’t want to put him in harm’s way and go deeper.