Los Angeles Dodgers: 2020 Season Preview

Bullpen

With only 60 games the Dodgers don’t have the luxury to wait for their bullpen to work out its kinks like they did in 2019. Last year the Dodgers relievers were at their worst in April and May posting ERAs of 4.65 and 4.91 in those months.

As a collective group, the Dodgers bullpen was the worst since the 1994 strike year blowing 29 saves and producing a save percentage of just 60%. Closer Kenley Jansen had his worst season as team closer blowing a career-high 8 saves and producing his lowest save percentage (80%) since 2012 his first year in the closer role.

Jansen will need a bounce-back year if the Dodgers are to succeed this year. If Jansen struggles at the outset manager Dave Roberts may need to look at hard-throwing reliever Joe Kelly and to pick up the slack. This short season the Dodgers margin of error is slim when it comes to the bullpen.

Conclusion

Expect the Dodgers to contend as one o the best teams in baseball, a potent lineup carried the team last year and it may have to do so again. The pitching staff whether starting or reliving brings the most unknown factors to this upcoming and unprecedented season.