The Los Angeles Dodgers opened their series against the St. Louis Cardinals with a 7-6 victory that ended with Michael Kopech closing it out.
Kopech was given the save chance due to a variety of reasons, including the group’s performance as of late, recent usage and availability of certain arms, and the right-hander making the most of his opportunities.
He ended up shutting the door on the Cardinals with two strikeouts and a weak ground ball, giving Kopech his 10th save of the season after closing out nine games for the Chicago White Sox.
With that, he also became the 12th Dodgers pitcher this season to record a save, which ties a franchise record that was set in 2022.
Evan Phillips leads the way with 15 saves this season, while Daniel Hudson (nine) and Alex Vesia (five) are the only other Dodgers relievers with more than one.
The group of pitchers this year with one save for the club are Landon Knack, Anthony Banda, Blake Treinen, Ryan Yarbrough, Yohan Ramírez, Brent Honeywell, J.P Feyereisen, Dinelson Lamet and Kopech.
The franchise record during the 2022 season was set with Craig Kimbrel leading the way with 22 saves, while Hudson, Graterol, Phillips, David Price, Chris Martin, Vesia, Yency Almonte, Justin Bruihl, Tommy Kahnle, Andre Jackson and Jake Reed all recorded at least one as well.
The 2021 Tampa Bay Rays hold the MLB record with 14 pitchers recording a save during their season, and no other club has ever had more than 12 in a single year.
The Dodgers could very well end up breaking their 2022 record, or even potentially the all-time MLB mark, with Ryan Brasier set to return from the injured list on Sunday. Joe Kelly, Brusdar Graterol and Michael Grove could get a save opportunity as well this year.
However, Kopech could end up running away with the role as he continues to impress each time out.
The Dodgers have used a closer-by-committee approach this season due to Phillips’ struggles, which caused him to lose his grip on the role after coming into the year as the team’s primary option for the ninth inning.
Phillips has maintained he will pitch in whatever role the Dodgers need him to, and he has mostly been used as a bridge option to the ninth inning as of late.
Dodgers franchise record for pitchers used
In addition to their large group of pitchers with a save this season, the Dodgers have just utilized a large group of pitchers in general. So far, they have used 36 different arms in 2024, which is closing in on their franchise record of 39 used during the 2021 and 2023 seasons.
With roughly 10 weeks left in the 2024 season, the Dodgers have a chance to tie or break that record. Edgardo Henriquez is someone in Triple-A who is worthy of a look and should add on to their total at some point this season.
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