As Joe Kelly and Kenley Jansen struggled, Pedro Baez emerged as one of the most trusted options out of the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen. It was a far cry from the times when Baez was drawing the ire of the fanbase.
After closing out the 2018 season on a strong note, the right-hander picked up where he left off. Through 41 appearances in the first half of this year, Baez pitched to a 2.70 ERA, 3.33 FIP and 0.86 WHIP with 33 strikeouts against 12 walks across 40 innings of work.
Baez credited growing confidence in his changeup for helping rejuvenate his career. He nonetheless began to endure some struggles into and after the All-Star break.
It led to Baez surrendering back-to-back home runs against the Boston Red Sox, though he recovered to strike out the next three batters faced, keeping the game tied. Baez’s string of strikeouts included a mound visit by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after he threw two pitches to Andrew Benintendi.
Roberts later explained the Dodgers believed Baez may have been tipping pitches, which may have also been behind a sudden spike in home runs. Baez allowed just one homer in 39.1 innings through his first 40 appearances this past season, then three in 3.1 innings over his next three.
That also became a hot topic during the postseason as Trea Turner appeared to be caught by TBS cameras explaining to his Washington Nationals teammates during Game 2 of the National League Division Series how he was able to decipher what pitch was coming.
Initial assumptions were Turner had picked up on Clayton Kershaw tipping pitches, but further review suggested Baez had the tell. Baez entered in the seventh inning and promptly allowed a leadoff base hit to Turner.
Adam Eaton then reached on a bunt single and Anthony Rendon was called out on strikes in a seven-pitch at-bat. He was the final batter Baez faced. He also appeared in Game 4, another loss for the Dodgers, allowing a home run and retiring just one of four batters faced.
As for the regular season, Baez went 7-2 with a 3.10 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 0.95 WHIP, and 69 strikeouts against 23 walks over 69.2 innings pitched. He was among the arbitration-eligible players the Dodgers tended a contract to this offseason.
2019 highlight
Although the 31-year-old isn’t often relied on to pitch multiple innings, there are instances when Roberts pushes his reliever. One came Aug. 24, when Baez entered with two outs in the seventh and preserved a 2-1 lead by collecting three strikeouts over 1.1 perfect innings.
With the win the Dodgers avoided being swept by the New York Yankees.
2020 outlook
The Dodgers remain confident Jansen will get back to his dominant form and they are planning to keep him in his closer role. However, should Jansen falter, Baez could enter the conversation. Though, he figures to have competition from Kelly and Blake Treinen, fellow late-inning options.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in our live shows, and more!
