For much of the 2025 season, San Diego Padres reliever Jeremiah Estrada has been brilliant coming out of the bullpen. He has pitched to a 3.19 ERA by striking out 84 batters in 59.1 innings pitched. Estrada has a strikeout rate of 34.9% this season. He allowed only 20 walks for an 8.4% walk rate, which is the lowest in his four-year major league career.
When called into a game, Estrada is usually in control, except when facing the Los Angeles Dodgers. Unfortunately, the outings are brief after getting
roughed up on the mound.
Estrada’s troubles with the Dodgers
In 13 career appearances, the right-hander is 0-3 with an 11.81 ERA against them. Estrada has allowed 17 hits in 10.2 innings pitched. The two Dodgers who have done the most damage are Teoscar Hernandez and Will Smith. Hernandez is 5-for-8 with two home runs and four RBIs in eight at-bats off Estrada. Smith is 3-for-6 with a home run and two RBIs in the same number of at-bats.
The numbers are not good, as he struggles to get ahead in counts and leaves too many pitches over the middle of the plate for Dodger batters to hit. Often, the results are punctuated by the long ball.
The Padres cannot afford to have a problem of this nature moving forward. The postseason is unpredictable, but the odds are good that these two teams will face one another at some point in October.
Padres need to hit the reset button
Estrada is not the first pitcher to struggle against a major league team. Facing the Dodgers is his kryptonite, as he is not a reliable option late in close games. The right move is giving him a reset.
The current makeup of the bullpen has enough depth that you can reintroduce him against the Dodgers in less stressful situations. A clean inning of work will ease the sting a bit. However, it will bring a huge sigh of relief from Friars skipper Mike Shildt.
You cannot handcuff your manager and have him be wary of using a reliever because of past struggles. The reality is the Padres need Estrada to find his footing against their main rival.
The Padres bullpen is the center of their fortunes. Estrada is a key component and can help the Friars clinch a postseason berth.
However, it is time for him to adopt a different approach against the Dodgers. Estrada has the pitching repertoire to be successful.
