Los Angeles Dodgers: First half grades for the Boys in Blue
By Evan Lovett
The Bullpen
The bullpen is the most overlooked element in the Dodgers’ success this season. Ranking second in the Major Leagues in ERA, the crew has combined for 312 strikeouts in 271 1/3 innings, allowing a measly .214 batting average against.
There is the venerable Kenley Jansen, whose greatness is only now being universally recognized, is regarded as the best closer in the sport. He has 18 saves in 18 opportunities and a sparkling 0.79 ERA with an unfathomable 0.53 WHIP. The batting average against him is .142, and Roberts has shown a propensity to stretch him out, as he’s already had more saves of four or more outs than any single season in his career.
Building a bridge to Jansen was a weakness in past Dodgers teams, but the success of Pedro Baez (1.32 ERA), Luis Avilan (32 games, 25 K’s in 21 innings), Josh Fields (1.04 WHIP), Grant Dayton (1.11 WHIP), Ross Stripling (38 innings mostly in a long relief role) has enabled Roberts and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt to mix and match a selection of left- and right-handers in various situations. Additionally, Brandon Morrow, a recent addition to the bullpen, has proven to be reliable as well and is being considered as an alternative set-up man to Baez, pitching 11 2/3 scoreless innings with a 0.43 WHIP.
The only negative thus far – on paper – has been Sergio Romo, whose unsightly 5.70 ERA is affected by one poor outing in April during which he allowed five runs in 1/3 of innings. Romo is still a go-to reliever for the coaching staff, as his ERA in May and June is 3.54, and he’s appeared in the fourth-most games on the club.
All told, this is one of the best bullpens in baseball and does not appear to have a clear weakness – it is worth keeping in mind a reliable bullpen is at the heart of World Series clubs.