Tanner Scott’s struggles have been no secret in his first year with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
On Friday, the left-hander may have hit his lowest point of the year as he allowed a walk-off grand slam against the San Francisco Giants. At that point Scott’s ERA raised to 5.01 in 50.1 innings pitched.
It was also the 11th home run Scott has allowed this season, which eight more than he gave up last year in 21.2 fewer innings.
Given his issues, Tanner Scott is wondering if he’s tipping pitches, but he’s not sure of any reason right now, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“Maybe I’m tipping. I have no friggin’ clue right now.”
Scott bounced back on Saturday with a clean inning in the Dodgers’ blowout win. He also got more swing-and-miss on his pitches, which has been another issue for him.
Scott has seen his strikeout rate drop in 2025, and his hard-hit rate has significantly risen from 27.2% last year to 43% in 2025.
Scott has allowed 1.78 homers per nine innings this year, compared to the 0.47 mark he’s been at over the last three seasons.
If Scott is tipping pitches, that would explain a lot of the struggles. But those have been going on for the entire season, and the Dodgers are watching for tipping with all their pitchers.
If Scott is tipping and the Dodgers haven’t realized it yet, that’s a larger concern in itself. It seems unlikely they wouldn’t have noticed it yet if he is tipping, but it’s also not impossible.
Regardless, the Dodgers need to figure out what is going on with Scott. They signed him to a four-year, $72 million deal in the offseason with the idea Scott would be their closer.
But when they can’t trust him to get outs, it puts a strain on the rest of the bullpen and the team.
The southpaw now owns a 4.91 ERA in 51.1 innings with 53 strikeouts and a 1.25 WHIP.
Tanner Scott frustrated by first Dodgers season
After allowing the walk-off grand slam, Scott said he’s “having the worst year of my life,” and acknowledged he has to be better.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has maintained confidence in Scott throughout the struggles, and he continues to back his reliever.
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