During Spring Training there were instances where Rich Hill’s curveball was in midseason form, and other instances where he struggled to have much of a feel for his devastating pitch. Hill and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts both downplayed the inconsistency.
After all, struggling through the spring was nothing new for Hill. But as the regular season rolled around he was presented with a different — albeit familiar — challenge. The chronic blister on the middle finger of Hill’s throwing hand has twice forced him to the disabled list this year.
As a result, the 37-year-old has failed to establish any sort of rhythm or momentum.