I cannot possibly candy coat this absolute cluster f*** of a bullpen. Another Tanner Scott meltdown. Jack Dreyer did give up the long double, but I agree with Duke and I think James Outman gets to that double. But that is mere speculation, and Andy Pages did not. And that is reality.
I think most of us grew up in the era where the team focuses on defense up the middle, with power on the corners. Now teams (not just the Dodgers) look for slug up and down the lineup. Some teams still have good defense up the middle, and it should be particularly important in CF. But this year the die has been cast, and Pages seems to be the CF. So be it.
So if the defense is not elite, then the pitching better be. The Dodgers starters as a group are better than any other MLB team. But the bullpen is abhorrent as a group, and there is not one single reliever on the current 28 man roster (as I am writing this), that should be trusted in high leverage situations. And I am generally someone looking through rose-colored glasses. A Pollyanna if you will.
To Badger’s point about the offense, if they score they will win. I think he (and others) have been saying that all year, and yet they are not scoring enough. Maybe the three HOF at the top of the lineup is who they are now. Age has a way of catching up. But with the Dodgers starting pitching, 4 runs should be enough to cover over three innings.
On Tuesday, Doc called in Jack Dreyer for an inning. It did not go well, but it was not a bad choice. In 8 previous September appearances, 7 were scoreless with 2 hits and 1 walk. He gave up a 2-run HR to Weston Wilson (Philadelphia) in the other one. I cannot fault that choice. Dreyer is up to 66.1 IP as a rookie, the most in his career. Is he hitting a wall?
Edgardo Henriquez has now given up 2 HRs in his last three appearances, covering 1.0 IP. He throws hard, but MLB hitters can hit 100MPH if it does not move.
Alex Vesia seemed to be the logical choice for the highest leverage situations before the Arizona series. He allowed a HR against Philadelphia, but that was the only hit he has allowed in September (7 appearances). Until Tuesday night he also gave up just 1 BB. He gave up 2 on Tuesday, and that almost cost him if not for the heads up play by Ben Rortvedt.
With respect to Tanner Scott, to repeat Joe Davis’ comment after the game…No words. So that is four relievers in three innings, with a 4 run lead, could not get a clean inning, and surrendered 5 runs. OTOH, Arizona also used 4 relievers, and the only hit (and run) was the Rortvedt HR. That was the only base runner in the final 3 innings.
On Wednesday, Vesia entered with a 4-1 lead. Two hits, a BB, and a hard hit out and Vesia was pulled. He now falls into the may not be trust worthy category. Henriquez comes in, a swinging bunt scored a run and moved a runner to 3rd. A long SF and the game was tied. The bullpen imploded yet again.
But there was some positive bullpen news. Roki Sasaki pitched a flawless 7th inning and looked legit. Clayton Kershaw pitched a clean 9th inning. In the 10th, with a free runner at 2nd, Jack Dreyer gave up a sac bunt, and two IBB to load the bases. He got Jake McCarthy to pop out for the 2nd out. Blake Treinen came in with the bases loaded, clutched up and got the final out on a pop up to Teoscar.
Justin Wroboleski proved he should be considered for a playoff roster spot with a clutch scoreless 11th inning with 2 strikeouts and the save.
Before Wednesday, as a team, the Dodgers had 26 blown saves (now 27), 8th most in MLB. They have a 61.85% save rate or 19th in MLB. Arizona and Philadelphia actually have more blown saves than LAD. These are the save records for all LAD relievers still in the organization.
- Tanner Scott 22 saves 10 blown saves
- Alex Vesia 5 saves 4 blown saves
- Blake Treinen 2 saves 3 blown saves
- Kirby Yates 3 saves 2 blown saves
- Jack Dreyer 4 saves 2 blown saves
- Anthony Banda 0 saves 1 blown save
- Edgardo Henriquez 0 saves 2 blown save
- Ben Casparius 2 saves 0 blown saves
- Justin Wroboleski 2 saves 0 blown saves
- Matt Sauer 1 save 0 blown saves
That is 41 saves and 24 blown saves (63.1% save rate). So who should Doc trust?
With the aging LAD stars, I have come around. If there was a time to go all in for lockdown relievers (closers) it should have been this year. It is not as if there were not questions surrounding Scott, Yates, Treinen, and Kopech. Phillips was gone for the year.
There were four closers who were available. Since the deadline:
- Jhoan Duran – 15 saves for Philadelphia
- David Bednar – 8 saves for NYY
- Mason Miller – 1 save for San Diego – he is more of a setup for Robert Suarez.
- Ryan Helsley has been a disaster for NYM. 0 saves and 4 blown saves. 8.47 ERA.
Minnesota traded RHRP Jhoan Duran to Philadelphia for C Eduardo Tait (#4 prospect, 55 FV) and RHP Mick Abel (#6 prospect, 55 FV). Two top 100 prospects. Knowing that Minnesota wanted an elite catching prospect, I am not sure what they would have required to send Duran to LAD. The Dodgers were not going to send Rushing to Minnesota. If Minnesota required an elite catcher, Duran was not going to the Dodgers. It is easy for fans to say the Dodgers could have done better, but it is not always up to the Dodgers. If Minnesota only wanted Dalton Rushing, and say Jackson Ferris, AF was not trading Rushing. Who here knows what other teams think of Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope? If Minnesota wanted Tait, the Dodgers were not getting Duran.
A’s traded RHRP Mason Miller and LHSP JP Sears to San Diego for SS Leo De Vries (San Diego Prospect #1, MLB Prospect #3, 60 FV), RHP Braden Nett (San Diego prospect #3, 50 FV), RHP Henry Baez (San Diego prospect #13, 45 FV), RHP Eduarniel Nunez (San Diego prospect #17, 40 FV).
If the A’s wanted Leo De Vries (they obviously did), the Dodgers had no answer, no matter how many prospects they were willing to trade. De Vries, 18 years old in AA with 103 PA, is hitting .281/.359/.551/.910. He has 5 HR and is getting more and more comfortable against better pitching. The only other MiLB player who is more coveted than De Vries would be 19 year old Pittsburgh SS prospect Konnor Griffin, who is absolutely killing it in AA. As good as the LAD SS prospects might be, they are not comparable to De Vries or Griffin.
The only 18 year old in the Dodgers top 30 was 2025 draft pick SS Aiden West (#29), and he was not eligible to be traded if the Dodgers and A’s were so inclined.
The Dodgers could very well have enticed Pittsburgh with a better package for Bednar. But one that Pittsburgh wanted? Pittsburgh traded RHRP David Bednar to NYY for C/1B Rafael Flores (NYY #8 prospect, 40 FV), C/1B Edgleen Perez (NYY #14 FV, 45 FV), and OF Brian Sanchez (not in top 30 prospects). Neither Flores nor Perez are potential stars, but they are better than what the Dodgers have for catchers. The closest C/1B the Dodgers have is Griffin Lockwood-Powell, and he is not a prospect. Nevertheless, because Flores and Perez were nothing special, the Dodgers could have enticed them with a couple of top OF prospects (1 top 100) and Maddux Bruns. LAD has 4 top 100 OF, they could certainly deal 1. I am comfortable saying they will trade at least one of them this winter. Why not at the deadline?
Enough of what might have been. What do they have now? The Dodgers will need just 2 SP for the WC and 1 TWP. That would leave them with 11 relievers on the WC roster unless they are willing to go with 2 starters, 10 relievers, and go to 13 position players plus Shohei.
Wild Card Series starters figure to be Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Snell. That would put Glasnow, Sheehan, and Kershaw in the bullpen. The WC series goes September 30 thru October 2 (or October 1 if the same team wins 2).
Bullpen options (currently on roster):
- Emmet Sheehan (R)
- Tyler Glasnow (R)
- Clayton Kershaw (L)
- Alex Vesia (L)
- Anthony Banda (L)
- Jack Dreyer (L)
- Edgardo Henriquez (R)
- Will Klein (R)
- Tanner Scott (L)
- Roki Sasaki (R)
- Blake Treinen (R)
Others that need to be considered:
- Brock Stewart (if healthy) (R)
- Ben Casparius (R)
- Andrew Heaney (L)
- Kyle Hurt (R)
Kirby Yates is on the 15 Day IL retroactive to September 21. He is definitely out of consideration for the Wild Card and the NLDS. Although he technically can be added due to an injury after the first game of the NLDS.
Scott and Treinen should get another opportunity this week. Treinen has proven himself as a quality LAD reliever in the playoffs, so I would surmise that he has the longer leash.
I do not like saving anyone for the next series, but it is possible that Kershaw and Glasnow get stashed for the NLDS where they could be needed to start 2 of the first 3 games.
The success of the bullpen could very well come down to Sheehan. His confidence looks to be high.
The Dodger relievers have put the team in this predicament, and it will be up to them to get out of it. The Dodger season is dependent on their success. I for one am not giving up on them.
BTW, as bad as Scott has bad-mouthed the team, Miggy Ro, and Ben Rortvedt (and I am sure others) the last two years , I am now confident that Tanner Scott will be a stud in the playoffs.
I recognize that the Dodgers are not USC, but we Trojans always believe in…Fight On!!.
I’m the bad guy I guess.
I’m really just for common sense. So when a guy blows 10 games, gives up 11 home runs and posts an ERA over 5, you should probably stop using him.
You are probably right, but his contract says they will ride that horse until it dies or gets better. And they damn sure are not just going to release him in the first year of that big of a contract.
They don’t have to release him. Just give him an offseason to reboot and restart. But lose an opportunity to win another WS because you want to play him because of his contract? Please,say it ain’t so! Use him in earlier innings at most.
It is time for the madness to stop. There is no good reason to think Scott is all of a sudden going to become an effective high leverage option. The Scott, Yates, and Conforto signings have been an unmitigated disaster. Luckily, Yates and Conforto are gone after this season. We can only hope that Scott finds his old mojo in 2026 and beyond. But Scott needs to go away for the 2025 playoffs.
Ohio, that is not going to happen. He might not be used as the closer, but he will be used in one way or another.
I think we should start the bullpen for the first couple of innings and then bring on the starters. That way we know early on how many runs we need to win the game.
A bit out of the box, but I like it.
I keep hearing suggestions the Dodgers whiffed at the deadline. They actually picked up two good players. Brock Stewart had a 2.38 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in Minnesota and I may be the only one but I like Alex Call a lot. He can play anywhere in the outfield and he gives quality at bats with with a season 116 OPS+. Granted neither has been as good in LA as they were before arriving and I just don’t see how anyone can blame management for that. But, many here do.
I get the feeling the Dodgers already have an idea who they want on the postseason roster and there are algorithms at play of which none of us are aware. My guess is Roki and Kershaw are in the pen. I’d like to say Klein and Henriquez will be chosen as I like power arms down there but I doubt the Dodgers trust either. I think they will likely go with Treinen, Banda and Scott. Vesia looks like he could use a blow. Dryer and Wrobleski have earned a spot. And the offense? Once they clinch I might give everyone but Muncy a few days off. Muncy, 0 for 3 with 3 Ks last night, needs at bats in the final days.
Is this team ready to start the playoffs in 6 days? Good question. No team in the Wild Card race looks hot at the moment and of the contenders who do the Dodgers match up with better? I don’t know, but I’ll bet others have strong opinions.
Good win last night. I think and have said Brock Stewart if healthy could be huge. He is very good against righties. If Scott is going to be used make it in the 6th or 7th.Sasaki looked really good. We shall c how he bounces back but he was aggressive n didn’t walk anyone. Wrobleski if rested can get it done. U can tell real quick if he has it. Kershaw came in and showed no fear. U just worry about the home run ball n walks. Can anybody throw strikes on this staff? Always a 3-2 count. We continue to have things happen out of the norm. Kim in to pinch run and hesitates. Obvious strike 3 call missed leading to a sacrifice fly. Umpires missing obvious calls hurts us because we struggle throwing strikes.
I really wish Roberts would take a page from the Arizona manager. He manages to win every game. I thought Henrique was a bad choice last night but he has to pitch who he has. At least there was some urgency last night and some luck to win. Finally, with the game on the line I would almost rather c anyone other than Ohtani up. U can almost write a k down.
Henriquez got squeezed by the HPU on a sure fire strike three and then that squibber that went 20 feet for an infield base hit. That was as unlucky as you can get in that situation.
Kid is doing fine , I have more confidence in him than Scott, Yates or Treinen.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!
Agreed!
I agree he definitely got squeezed for strike 3. Infield hit was unlucky. He actually hung the pitch that ended up a sacrifice fly. Great arm just shaky command but I guess he fits right in.
We seem downright on fire compared to the Tigers, who could very easily miss the playoffs! Wow!
Tigers’ choke job is stunning. Granted I’d rather they make October as the last wild card over the trash cans.
Tigers are doing their 1964 Phillies impersonation.
Casperius and Dreyer have earned spots on the playoff roster.
Kike’ and Kim have not.
I would trade Glasnow in the off-season
I agree about Dreyer, Casparius not so much. His ERA is close to 5. He was much better earlier in the year, but as his usage went up, so did his ERA. He was ok for his stint at OKC, but nothing he did there says put him on the playoff roster. Sorry Fred, they won’t trade Glasnow. As for Kike, if he does make the playoff roster it is simply because of his playoff history. Kim, no, he isn’t on my playoff roster.
Casperius workload should be rewarded.
I do not think so. Playoff roster spots are not a reward. They are earned, and he hasn’t done well enough to earn one.
You mean other than carrying the bullpen until he wore down? He’s resting some now and should be good to go
Mentioned on the end of the last thread – Doc’s Bullpen management was spot on last night, and it’s one of the reasons the players love him.
After Dreyer (who’d given up 2 hits the previous evening) had hot the first 2 outs, he went to Treinen for the final out, with the bases loaded, Blake’s kryptonite being walks of late, and he came through. This in a “must win” situation in a hostile environment. Doc backs his players, and they must love that. It’s what he’s been trying to do with Scott, and until Tuesday evening he had had 4 clean outings in a row, but unfortunately it’s back to square one.
Yates is now done. Roki is now in. Would like to see what Heaney has got. I’d run Scott out there the last 3 games and hope for a reaction.
I’d run Scott out there as well, but not in the 9th inning of a close game.
He needs his confidence back, so use him in the 6th
I would give Sasaki more chances in the last 4 games to see if he can continue to bring what he showed yesterday. That was filthy stuff that would play in the postseason.
Scott I would not put in high leverage situations right now unless he goes on a heater immediately starting today.
My bullpen for the postseason in the first round would look like this:
Treinen (because of his history not so much his recent performance).
Dreyer. He has earned it.
Vesia. See Treinen.
Henriquez. Stuff is just too good but I would not use him high leverage.
Sasaki. If he keeps doing what he showed yesterday.
Scott. Not high leverage.
Wrobleski. Stuff is overpowering
Banda.
Kershaw.
Sheehan.
Need only 3 starters with Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow. Still have Ohtani too if needed.
my position players: FF, Rojas, Betts, Muncy, Pages , Edman, Teo, Smith (if available), Shohei, Rushing, Kike (only because of his playoff history), Conforto (LH bat off the bench to pinch hit), Call.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!
I take Rortvedt over Rushing if Smith is available. His game calling, pitcher navigation, and ball in the dirt blocking skills are superior. His offense is not an issue. He has struck out 11.8% as a Dodger (16.5% for the year), while Rushing has struck out 39% of the time. As a Dodger Rortvedt’s OPS and OPS+ are better than Dalton. And Ben knows how to bunt. While some will complain that if he bunts he may take the bat out of the hands of Ohtani. With a runner is scoring position late in the game, is that such a bad thing. We saw what he did last night. Leave it up to Mookie.
Glasnow will probably not be in the WC. He pitches Saturday, so the earliest he could come back would be October 2 (WC Game 3). If the Dodgers start Ohtani, they could follow up with Snell and Yamamoto. If Ohtani and Snell can get it done, then Yama and Glasnow go games 1 and 2 in the NLDS. If you need a game 3, who better to start a must win game than Yama.
Since you do not want any of the high leverage late inning pitchers pitching in those spots, who do you propose pitches in the 8th and 8th innings?
Thoughts on last night.
*Very entertaining game. Nice job Wrobleski.
*Wow 14 pitchers used by both teams.
*Snell was Snell. 6 innings and 95 pitches. Not as much swing and miss was a credit to the D-Backs.
*In the words of John Lennon, “I hope we passed the audition”
Well Roki, you passed the audition. Any reservations I had about using him in this post season were put to bed. He looked great and could be a much needed weapon. I occasionally have a total cranial/rectal inversion.
*As I mentioned some time back, Kershaw can be a valuable bullpen piece and he is apparently eager to assume any role that will help his team. Would you expect any other attitude from him?
*Great catch Tommy.
*I like Pages in left better than center
*The reliable Vesia couldn’t find it in the 8th. Laboring to locate, he grooved one to Carroll, who had a great game.
*Fun little Cat and Mouse game in 11th. Kike led off with Manfred’s Man on 2nd. When Garcia faked a move to 2nd to see if Kike would tip if he was bunting, Kike quickly did fake like he was bunting. He has no intention of bunting. Pretty quick thinking by a crafty veteran.
.
Very good post! I hope kershaw can have a great playoff. If anybody deserves it it is him. Where would we have been without his regular season performance. Mb he can get hot at the right time. I still think if Stewart is healthy he fills the 7th inning right handed spot. I should hope everyone sacrifices for the team during the post season. I will give the dbacks credit they play as a team. I also thought Kiki’s deek was a heads up play. Wondering why Roberts decided to take out Edman to put in Call. By facial expression I don’t think Edman was thrilled. I thought Edman might attempt a steal.
Edman’s ankle was the reason. He is too valuable to twist that oft injured ankle at this time of the season. Call is a decent to good baserunner, but the primary reason was Tommy’s bad ankle.
I am not sure that I have the same confidence in Edgardo Henriquez that many of you have. He has four pitches, and most of them meh.
· Sinker – 29.2% – .240 BA and .280 SLG
· 4-Seamer – 27.3% – .368 BA and .477 SLG
· Cutter – 24.3% – .200 BA and .600 SLG
· Slider – 19.1% – .100 BA and .100 SLG
Now it looks like his slider is a good out pitch, however in yesterday’s game the Sac Fly was hit off a 81.9 MPH hanging slider, and the McCann single was hit off a 82.8 MPH hanging slider. His normal slider averages 86.1 MPH. Is there some reason for the significant drop in velo on his slider. The 2 HRs hit in his last 4 games were both off his cutter. His cutter was both in hitter spots and also with decreased velo.
He has inherited 14 runners and 9 have scored.
His ERA was misleading at 0.00 through August. He did not allow a run of his own, but 5 of 8 inherited runners scored. September has not been kind to Henriquez. 9 games, 6.0 IP, 7 hits, 5 runs, 3 BB, 7 K, 2 HR, 7.50 ERA, 1.667 WHIP, 4 of 6 inherited runners have scored.
He just turned 23 (June 24). He will be good, but is he ready for playoff baseball? I would take Casparius who has been successful on the playoff stage. 4 games last year in the NLCS and WS. 6.1 IP, 1 run. He was a bit wild in the WS game he started, walking 3 in 2.0 innings, and the 1 run. I guess he was a bit nervous as a rookie starting a WS game against NYY in NY. The three games against NYM in the NLCS he was good. 4.1 IP, no runs, 2 hits, 2 BB, 4 K.
This year when he was a 1-2 IP reliever through May, in 19 games he pitched 36.1 innings, 1 HR, 7 BB, and 42 K. He was 4-0, with 7 holds and no blown saves. His ERA was 2.72 and his FIP was 1.76.
Then beginning of June, they changed his role to start a game and go as long as he could, and then to be the piggy back bulk inning reliever for Shohei. Things did not go as well. That carried over through July. But he turned it around in August. 12 games 9.1 IP, 9 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 1 HR, 4 BB, 10 K. In those games 13 inherited runners and none scored
For the season Casparius has inherited 29 runners and only 1 has scored. Yes he gives up HR and too often the 3-run variety.
In OKC, Casparius did not issue a BB but did allow one HR. 7K in 5.1 IP.
I take Casparius every day over Henriquez.
Agree
They did it. Good work Dodgers. Now win 13 more games.
So they should lose the next 3?
LFG!!
Congratulations Dodgers. NL West Champs.