The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen has struggled for much of the season, and that remains true heading into a crucial weekend series with the Chicago Cubs. However, one silver lining is All-Star closer Kenley Jansen’s apparent return to form.
Jansen had arguably the worst season of his career in 2018, though the Dodgers still reached the World Series for the second year in a row. His ERA ballooned to a career-high 3.01 and he gave up 13 home runs after allowing a combined 15 total over the previous three seasons.
Despite an increased workload in Spring Training to get him ready for the season, Jansen’s 2019 started out bumpy as well. He had a 4.67 ERA and four home runs allowed over his first 17 appearances, capped by a walk-off grand slam by Hunter Renfroe of the San Diego Padres.
In 10 outings since then, however, Jansen has looked much more like his old self. Opposing hitters have reached just seven times in 40 plate appearances against him, and none have scored. Jansen has also struck out 16 over that stretch while only walking one.
Jansen said extra film study with longtime Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt helped him figure out and correct a mechanics issue during the Dodgers’ mid-May road trip to Tampa Bay, per AM 570 L.A. Sports:
“I was watching a lot of video, to be honest with you. One thing, man, as long as I play this game, I want to be one of the best. I want to keep motivating myself and never be satisfied, knowing in the back of your mind that you can always fall short. The last two years not winning a championship, so you’ve got to stay hungry, and I’m really hungry about this. I want to win a championship here in L.A., for these L.A. fans. That’s my goal. When people are sleeping, that’s when I’m on my computer and looking at my mechanics and stuff and kind of figure out what I was doing. I figured out a little bit, I don’t want to talk about it, but me and Honey were watching it. Since then, it’s been a fun ride. I figured it out in Tampa and since then it’s been a fun ride.”
While Jansen appeared agitated on the mound in his first couple appearances after Renfroe’s grand slam, he has seemed much more comfortable recently. Like many veterans, Jansen is vocal about his competitive and nature and drive to win a World Series title after coming so close in 2017 and 2018.
He reportedly turned down larger offers in free agency before the 2017 season to re-sign with the Dodgers at least in part due to that desire to win in Los Angeles. If Jansen truly has turned the corner and fixed his mechanics to return to his dominant form, that could greatly help the Dodgers finally get over the hump in 2019.
