When Kenley Jansen closed out the Los Angeles Angels’ 11-9 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday to clinch a Freeway Series victory, it put them on track for their first three-game sweep at Dodger Stadium since 2010.
In doing so, Jansen also became the first pitcher in Freeway Series history to record save for both the Angels and Dodgers. He recorded 13 saves in the Freeway Series as a member of the Dodgers from 2010-2021.
Jansen has now tallied 187 career saves at Dodger Stadium, which are the most in the history of the ballpark. That represents the second-most saves in one ballpark, trailing only Mariano Rivera’s 230 at the original Yankee Stadium.
Jansen, now 37, signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Angels during the offseason. Jansen has also spent time with the Atlanta Braves (2022) and Boston Red Sox (2023-2024) since leaving the Dodgers.
Jansen ranks fourth in MLB history with 455 career saves, trailing only Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601) and Lee Smith (478). Jansen became the all-time Dodgers saves leader by passing Eric Gagné during the 2016 season.
This year with the Angels, Jansen is 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and eight saves in 15 appearances thus far. Jansen completed a four-out save against the Dodgers over the weekend, marking a first for him this season.
Kenley Jansen feels like ‘complete package’
Jansen said earlier this season that he feels accomplished having played for both the Dodgers and Angels in his career.
Jansen pitched 12 seasons for the Dodgers after converting from catcher and became the franchise’s all-time saves leader with 350.
Jansen’s career with the Dodgers also included three All-Star Game selections, two National League Trevor Hoffman Relief Pitcher of the Year Awards and a World Series championship, among other accolades.
During his latest return to Dodger Stadium, Jansen visited with Clayton Kershaw, manager Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani, among others.
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