The Los Angeles Dodgers lost the game on Thursday, August 13th, due to Edwin Diaz’s very bad outing, coughing up a 4-2 lead and allowing the winning run.
Diaz came in after the Dodgers, who struggled to generate much offense, got a boost from Max Muncy off the bench with a three-run homer.
With the trumpets blaring and a packed house at Dodger Stadium, Diaz had the stage to really put his two blown saves in Arizona in the back of his mind.
However, all he did was heighten the pressure on him and raise questions about his viability in the Dodgers’ postseason run.
After getting a lead-off strikeout, Diaz looked good, but he proceeded to allow a total of four straight singles, and with a Brewers team that is elite at baserunning, they managed to score two runs and put a man on first and third.
He eventually got his second out via another strikeout, but that would be his last batter before manager Dave Roberts tapped Alex Vesia.
Vesia allowed a soft-contact hit that managed to split through first and second base, but he eventually got the third out shortly after.
However, the Dodgers were now down 5-4, and with an offense sputtering, a ninth-inning rally did not materialize.
Now, with a third blown save in as many games, there are questions about Diaz’s viability as the closer, which the team and Diaz will try to answer together.
“I gotta see what they want to do. I know I’m struggling, so I want to do the best thing for our team. If they give me the ball in the ninth, I’ll try to do my job,” Diaz said about whether he should keep the closer role to the media, including Dodgers Nation’s Ava Brand.
“If they give me the ball in another inning, I will try to do my job. I just gotta be better, be consistent.”
What’s next for Edwin Diaz
There is still time to turn this around for Diaz. He can still be a key contributor and earn back his status as a solidified closer.
All he can do is find his confidence in the slider and get his command under control. Luckily for him, he intends to do exactly that starting tomorrow.
“I have to find a way to pitch better,” Diaz added. “… It’s frustrating because I know my ability, what I can do in the moment. To not be able to do it sucks. I just gotta come tomorrow and try to keep getting better.”
Next time he is available, it will be interesting to see what Roberts elects to do and how Diaz responds to this pressure.