MLB.com's Dodgers X-factor is drawing comparisons to Gerrit Cole after just 4 starts

Aug 4, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher River Ryan (77) throws a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesEmmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, and River Ryan are the leading contenders to earn a place on Dodgers' Opening Day roster, either as a de facto sixth-starter or a long reliever.

Sheehan did everything he could to make himself look like the obvious choice last year — 73 1/3 innings for a 2.82 ERA, 147 ERA+, and 0.968 — but Andrew Friedman has already identified Stone and Ryan as the two injury returns he's most excited to see…