What's Happening?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing challenges with their bullpen as they enter the postseason, despite having one of the strongest starting rotations. Last season, the Dodgers relied heavily on their bullpen to win the World Series, but this year, their bullpen has struggled, ranking in the bottom 10 in ERA, WHIP, walks, and blown saves. High-profile additions like Tanner Scott, Blake Treinen, and Kirby Yates have underperformed, with Scott blowing 10 of his 33 save opportunities and Treinen enduring a rough stretch in September. The Dodgers' starting rotation, led by Blake Snell, has been dominant, leading MLB in ERA and strikeout-to-walk ratio since Snell's return from injury. Manager Dave Roberts plans to get creative with the pitching lineup, potentially using starters like Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki in relief roles.
Why It's Important?
The Dodgers' bullpen issues could impact their ability to repeat as World Series champions. While their starting rotation is strong, the bullpen's instability poses a risk in high-pressure postseason games. The team's ability to adapt and utilize starters in relief roles may be crucial to their success. The Dodgers' financial investment in their bullpen has not yielded the expected results, highlighting the challenges of managing a high-payroll team. The bullpen's performance will be a key factor in the Dodgers' postseason run, as they aim to leverage their starting rotation's strength to compensate for bullpen weaknesses.
What's Next?
The Dodgers will continue to explore creative solutions to bolster their bullpen, potentially using starters like Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow in relief roles. The team will need to find stability in their bullpen to advance in the playoffs. Manager Dave Roberts will focus on instilling confidence in the bullpen, emphasizing the importance of a short memory and seizing new opportunities. The Dodgers' postseason strategy will likely involve a mix of starting and relief pitching to maximize their chances of success.
