The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen has been a mixed bag this season, having particularly struggled early on before coming into their own as of late.
By the end of April, the Dodgers’ relief corps had compiled a disastrous 4.69 ERA and 4.33 FIP in 103.2 innings — consequently ranking 24th with only 0.1 FanGraphs’ WAR.
But the club’s collection of relievers has seemingly turned a corner in May, pitching to a solid 3.38 ERA and 3.70 FIP over 82.2 innings with 0.4 FanGraphs’ WAR.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reaffirmed his confidence in the bullpen and cited the improvements of multiple key relievers for its turnaround in recent weeks. “I do,” Roberts confirmed when asked if he trusts the bullpen to perform up to standards.
“We’re always trying to get better, but I think the guys we have now, and it starts with the starting staff being able to go deeper in games and shorten the game for the ‘pen.
“If you look at the backend, Kenley is throwing the ball as well as he has all year. Getting Cingrani back is a big boost, Alexander has been throwing the ball well, Fields has been consistent all year. So, yeah, we really like where we’re at.”
As Roberts notes, the Dodgers bullpen has been aided by the improvements of Kenley Jansen and Scott Alexander, among others, in recent weeks. Specifically, both pitchers have excelled during the month of May after uncharacteristically struggling in the early going.
In 13 innings this month, Jansen has posted a minuscule 0.69 ERA and 0.69 WHIP with 13 strikeouts to only two walks. That’s compared to a 5.59 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 9.2 frames in March and April.
For Alexander, he concluded the month of April with a disappointing 6.35 ERA and was later optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as a result of command issues.
The southpaw was recalled in early May and has yet to allow a run in six appearances since returning to the Majors. Roberts believes the Minors stint benefited Alexander and hopes the same can be said for J.T. Chargois, who was recently optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as an effort to work out some kinks.
As part of our efforts to help you understand how we handle the personal information you share with us, and in preparation for the new European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we’ve updated our Privacy & Cookies Policy. The updated Privacy & Cookies Policy will take effect on May 22, 2018. By using our services on or after that date, you’ll be agreeing to our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy. We recommend that you read our updated Privacy & Cookies Policy in full.
