The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen was expected to be a strength this season, but the group has largely underperformed since getting off to a strong start.
Entering play Tuesday, the Dodgers’ relief corps ranks 19th in ERA (4.19), 21st in WHIP (1.34) and 23rd in opponents’ batting average (.249).
Some of their struggles stem from the vast amount of injuries that have plagued the Dodgers’ starting rotation. That resulted in the Dodgers bullpen taking on a significant workload, as their 583.2 innings pitched paces all of baseball.
Furthermore, expected key contributors Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates and Blake Treinen, have also endured difficult years. For Scott and Yates, they are in their first season with the Dodgers after signing lucrative contracts last winter.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he is trying to reconfigure the bullpen and wants the team’s relief pitchers to be more confident, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“You look at our ‘pen, there’s a confidence thing right now that they’ve got to get over. That’s pretty much everyone included. So trying to figure out where the best place to put a guy, because the sixth inning in a tie ballgame with the top of the order, could be a high-leverage situation. So you’ve got to kind of figure out what constitutes leverage, high leverage, and also the alternative.”
As several relievers try to work through their struggles, Roberts said he will continue trusting them in key situations:
“That’s exactly right, and Kirby Yates is the same thing. These are the guys that we signed off on, we believe in. And not to say that you’ve got to have blind faith forever. I understand that. But you’re talking about winning 11 games in October — getting there obviously — and guys that you can trust in that hot box of moments. There’s experience that certainly matters. It does. But talent and performance, and the short-term and the recency matters too, it does. But I’m going to give these guys that have earned the opportunity and my trust, that they deserve my trust. I’m going to keep giving it to them until I don’t.”
As Roberts noted, Scott, Yates, Treinen and Michael Kopech all have impressive track records and know what it’s like pitching in big games.
While they are all having disappointing seasons, the Dodgers hope their veteran relievers will eventually turn things around in time for the playoffs.
Tanner Scott feels hated
After a recent stretch that saw him blow a save or take the loss in three consecutive games, Scott said he isn’t feeling much love around Dodgers fans at the moment.
The 31-year-old has gone 1-3 with a 4.56 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 21 saves in 53 appearances for the Dodgers this season. Scott lost the Dodgers’ bid at a combined no-hitter on Monday but converted the save opportunity.
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