Dodgers Rumors: Most viable All-Star candidates in Los Angeles
By Evan Lovett
Kenley Jansen
The Greatness of Kenley Jansen is both undeniable and underappreciated.
The big right-hander simply dominates every time he gets the baseball. He has saved every baseball game he’s been asked to close in 2017 and sports a 1.17 ERA. With 40 strikeouts in only 23 innings, he is putting up historic numbers. The WHIP is microscopic, sitting at 0.65. Opposing batters are hitting an anemic .179 against him.
If there really is not a reason for Jansen to not be an All-Star this season, it is the lack of opportunities; he only has nine. This is more a reflection of the Dodgers league-leading run differential of +84. In Dodgers wins, the team is generally blowing out opponents to such an extent that they have more than a three-run lead when the ninth inning approaches.
But that should not be held against the sturdy Curacao native – he has taken every opportunity to dominate this year and done so. And though he ranks only seventh amongst National League closers in saves this year, his peripherals are so strong that he should be the first closer chosen by Maddon when the rosters are filled out.