Dodgers: Four players that are set to regress in 2018

Pedro Baez

For most of 2017, Pedro Baez was the best arm in the Dodgers bullpen aside from Kenley Jansen. Even with all of the love that Brandon Morrow received due to his solid year and a great postseason, Baez was Dave Roberts go-to guy out of the ‘pen before it was time for California Love. However, the end of 2017 was not generous to the once reliable Baez.

Baez had a bit of a meltdown in late August and Early September that attributed to the Dodgers 11-game losing streak. Prior to the meltdown, Baez looked absolutely unhittable. From April to July, Baez three 44.2 innings, striking out 41 batters and allowing just seven earned runs. Entering August he had a 1.41 ERA and entering September he had a 1.79 ERA.

Then it all began to unfold. Baez allowed five earned runs in his first two appearances of September with a combined 0.1 innings thrown. On September 11, he allowed another earned run in an inning of work; on September 19 against the Phillies he allowed four earned runs on two walks and two hits to lose the game for the Dodgers.

Overall, Baez has a 10.38 ERA in the months of September and October, losing his spot on the playoff roster in the process. While it may be unfair to predict an entire season’s worth of output based on a cold spell, it may be the ultimate telling sign that opposing hitters finally figured out Baez’ high-nineties fastball.