Introduction to the Dodgers’ Struggles
The Dodgers’ bullpen has been a recurring issue, and it let them down again in an extra-inning loss to the Phillies. The Philadelphia Phillies rallied for four runs in the seventh and eighth innings and another in the 10th, securing a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers on Monday night. This loss shrinks the Dodgers’ lead over the idle San Diego Padres to two games in the NL West and widens the chasm between them and the Phillies for the second seed in the NL playoffs to 5½ games.
The Impact of the Loss
"It was a heavyweight fight, man," said Bryce Harper in the winning locker room. "It’s a really good team over there, obviously. They punch, we punch. They punch, we punch. I thought we played really good baseball." The Dodgers’ bullpen has shown a glass jaw for some time now, with eleven of the Dodgers’ past 18 losses charged to relievers. They are 6-14 in their past 20 games decided by one run.
Analysis of the Bullpen’s Performance
Max Muncy attempted to be diplomatic when discussing the ramifications of an unreliable bullpen in crucial games. "When you look at tonight, the home runs that were given up — (Kyle) Schwarber hit one with one finger on the bat basically. Harper hit one about seven inches above the zone. It’s really hard to criticize them for making those pitches. Just really good hitters found a way to handle them." However, the statistics tell a different story. The Dodgers’ bullpen ERA is 4.20 (19th in the majors), and they are 21st in batting average against (.246). The 75 home runs allowed by relievers is fourth-most in the majors, tied with one last-place team (the Orioles) and behind three last-place teams (the Rockies, Nationals, and Angels).
The Manager’s Dilemma
With just two weeks left before the start of the postseason, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts essentially admits he doesn’t know who can be trusted. "It’s just trying to see which guys step up with opportunities," Roberts said. "I thought Tanner (Scott), for example, the last two outings have been very good. That’s really good to see. So, just trying to figure out who’s going to seize the opportunity. They’re going to continue to get opportunities and we’ll see how it plays out."
The Game’s Turning Points
Three Dodgers lefty relievers – none of them named Tanner Scott – pitched against a Phillies’ lineup devoid of right-handed hitters Trea Turner and Alec Bohm due to injury. All three – Anthony Banda (as the opener), Jack Dreyer in the seventh, and Alex Vesia in the eighth – gave up home runs. The Dodgers opted to start Banda as an opener for right-hander Emmet Sheehan, but this strategy backfired. Banda struck out right-handed Harrison Bader to start the game but didn’t retire either lefty. Schwarber got a 2-and-2 slider on the outside edge of the strike zone and sent it 390 feet into right-field pavilion.
Conclusion
The Dodgers’ bullpen issues continue to plague the team, and it’s unclear how they will address these problems before the postseason. With the loss to the Phillies, the Dodgers’ chances of securing a favorable seed in the playoffs have diminished. The team must find a way to stabilize their bullpen if they hope to make a deep run in the playoffs.
FAQs
- Q: What is the current state of the Dodgers’ bullpen?
A: The Dodgers’ bullpen has been struggling, with a 4.20 ERA and 75 home runs allowed, which is fourth-most in the majors. - Q: How did the Phillies secure their win against the Dodgers?
A: The Phillies rallied for four runs in the seventh and eighth innings and another in the 10th, with key home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. - Q: What is the impact of the loss on the Dodgers’ standings?
A: The loss shrinks the Dodgers’ lead over the San Diego Padres to two games in the NL West and widens the gap between them and the Phillies for the second seed in the NL playoffs to 5½ games. - Q: How do the Dodgers plan to address their bullpen issues?
A: Manager Dave Roberts is trying to determine which relievers will step up and seize opportunities, but it’s unclear how they will stabilize their bullpen before the postseason.
