With the season soon drawing to a close and the National League West race being as close as it is, every series for the Los Angeles Dodgers becomes more important than the last.
So with that being said, it is not ideal that the Dodgers will be without their All-Star closer, Kenley Jansen, this weekend when they make a trip to Coors Field to take on the Colorado Rockies.
Given Jansen’s heart issues though, the decision to leave him behind is obviously the right one. Now the rest of the Dodgers bullpen will have to step up in a hitter-friendly environment.
They should be aided with the return of another All-Star in Ross Stripling, who has been out the last few weeks with a back issue that began during the team’s last trip to Colorado. Stripling is expected to return during the weekend series after coming out of a successful simulated game, via J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
Ross Stripling threw a three-inning simulated game against teammates and will be activated from the disabled list prior to the series opener Friday.
When Jansen was out with the heart issue the first time, Stripling volunteered to close games in his place. However, Stripling himself has yet to pitch out of the bullpen since being temporarily removed from the starting rotation.
Nonetheless, it may be something for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts consider this time around, given the bullpen’s struggles at Coors Field this season. Stripling hasn’t seen game action since Aug. 9, so it may be unrealistic to expect him to succeed in high-leverage situations immediately after returning.
Overall in 28 games (17 starts) this season, Stripling holds an 8-3 record to go along with a 2.62 ERA, 3.10 FIP and 1.13 FIP while striking out 121 and walking just 17 in 110 innings.
