Los Angeles Dodgers: How the Dodgers compare to the Atlanta Braves
By Jason Reed
Bullpen:
Los Angeles Dodgers:
The Los Angeles Dodgers did not have a ton of depth in the bullpen to bank on earlier in the season. Thus, the team dipped into the starting pitching overflow and managed to craft a bullpen out of mostly starters that can hold the team in games.
- Kenley Jansen — RHP
- Kenta Maeda — RHP
- Ross Stripling — RHP
- Caleb Ferguson — LHP
- Scott Alexander — LHP
- Alex Wood — LHP
- Dylan Floro — RHP
- Pedro Baez — RHP
Was is interesting about this bullpen is neither John Axford nor Ryan Madson, who the Dodgers acquired to help the pen, will make the cut. Instead, the Dodgers will go with who Dave Roberts has used all season long and can trust in big spots.
Among those former starters are Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling, Caleb Ferguson and Alex Wood. Scott Alexander is great as a left-handed and double play specialist and Dylan Floro has come up in some big spots.
Pedro Baez, as much hate as he gets, has been more reliable than not this season. The two go-to arms will be Maeda and Stripling with Wood being the third best option. Ferguson and Alexander against southpaws and Floro and Baez against right-handed pitchers.
Atlanta Braves:
The Atlanta Braves have a much more traditional bullpen than the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Arodys Vizcaino — RHP
- Jesse Biddle — LHP
- A.J. Minter — LHP
- Dan Winkler — RHP
- Sam Freeman — LHP
- Brad Brach — RHP
- Shane Carle — RHP
- Max Fried — LHP
As for the pen, the Braves are stacked in left-handed pitching, which could be a probably for the Dodgers. However, despite having a traditional bullpen, the Braves are not much better, if at all better, than the Dodgers.
The numbers are good but it should be kept in mind that these guys have not pitched in high-leverage situations like the Dodgers.
In terms of bullpen WAR (per FanGraphs), the Dodgers are collectively better (3.4) than the Braves (3.1). In terms of ERA, the Dodgers best the Braves, 3.70 to 4.15.
However, this does include relievers that won’t be in the postseason, so it is a bit skewed. The Dodgers still hold the edge.