Coming off a disappointing season, Kenley Jansen was among the ever growing list of pitchers to visit Driveline Baseball Academy.
Jansen’s metrics during Spring Training suggested a bounce-back season was ahead, but getting there wound up being interrupted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Jansen continued throwing during the wait for the season to begin, though had to shut down for a period due to contracting the virus.
Jansen has enjoyed successful stretches but also labored through some appearances and shown signs of last year’s command troubles. That has been particularly evident in Jansen’s past three games.
However, he managed to strand the bases loaded and convert a save Tuesday night to ensure the Dodgers will remain in first place in the National League West regardless of the outcome of the series finale against the San Diego Padres.
Following the win, Jansen reiterated his determination and focus to help lead the Dodgers to a World Series, via SportsNet LA:
“It’s great. Anything to just pick up my teammates. It wasn’t an easy one, they were locked in, and I tried to be locked in too. I tried to bounce back and get back on track. I’m not going to let stuff that happened in the past define our season. Our season is trying to win a championship. I don’t care about stats or any of that bull crap. It’s time to win a championship. That’s all it’s about. …
“I don’t care if the world is against me. As long as my wife, my kids, my family and teammates love me, that’s all I care about. Just want to win a championship here. That’s my goal. They signed me for a reason. To win a championship. The Dodger fans deserve it.”
Jansen was the victim of some bad luck as a high pop fly to center field dropped in front of AJ Pollock for a second consecutive hit with one out. The Dodgers were in a no-doubles defense and Pollock’s first step was back.
“I was very proud of him. I actually thought he threw the ball really well,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of his closer. “I didn’t like the walk, but Machado put a good at-bat on, and that fly ball to center field, AJ just didn’t see it off the bat. That’s an out, and AJ will say that 99% of the time.”
Propping up Jansen
Justin Turner, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI in his return from the 10-day injured list, commended Jansen for pushing through adversity.
“Of course he wants to go out there and be the Kenley Jansen we all know and love,” Turner said. “We just had a conversation in the clubhouse, just understanding it’s not always going to go perfect every time.
“But every time you can get back on the mound, have that conviction, be that closer we know that you are, and throw every pitch with conviction and compete, good things will happen.”
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