The Los Angeles Dodgers have continued another dominant run this season, but have recently been plagued by losing streaks and meltdowns on the pitching mound.
As the Dodgers entered Thursday’s ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers – with a two-run lead – reliever Edwin Diaz allowed three runs for a 5-4 loss. However, Diaz’s blown save was not the most recent. On Aug. 7 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he allowed a walk-off home run.
Thursday’s loss came with frustration from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who’s been weighing out the options moving forward.
"I can’t just say, ‘Change (Diaz) to low leverage,’" Roberts said following the loss. "I have to have other options, and to be quite honest, none of those guys really have thrown the baseball great. That’s just kind of the way it is."
The back-to-back World Series champions have the most expensive roster in the MLB – which included signing Diaz in the offseason on a 3-year, $69 million deal. However, if the Dodgers want to ensure they finish the season strong ahead of a potential run for a third straight title, who are the other options that Roberts could utilize to get them there?
Some bullpen arms that come to mind are Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia. In 48 innings pitched this season, Scott has thrown 60 strikeouts, accumulated a 2.25 ERA and 12 runs allowed. Vesia has produced similar numbers, with 52 total strikeouts and 13 runs allowed in his 42 innings pitched.
Scott has been seen as the most reliable option, especially through his recent performances as a reliever. Scott's 16 saves – especially filling for Diaz after he missed more than three months due to surgery on his right elbow – has shown Roberts that he's reliable down the final pitches.
But Roberts seems to think that the pattern of struggling pitchers continues to show, which leaves him to question his approach to a new reliever.
"You look back at the last week, and guys have struggled," Roberts said. "I’m not going to sit here and play carousel and chase my tail ... when a guy is struggling, and then when he doesn’t pitch well, then it’s, ‘Why are you pitching him?’ I don’t do that. Everyone has got a role. They all have jobs to do, and they all have to do their job. That’s it."
Diaz’s performance in his seven appearances on the mound has accumulated a 12.73 ERA, which has been costly for the Dodgers as postseason conversations loom.
"It’s frustrating, because I know my ability," Diaz said. "I know what I can do on the mound. To not be able to do it (stinks). I’ve just got to come tomorrow and try to keep getting better."
As the Dodgers host the NL-leading Brewers through the weekend, Roberts noted the significance of a strong bullpen, and revealed where the bullpen currently stands.
"I know people don’t want to hear it, but it’s baseball," Roberts said. "Offenses go in lulls, and the bullpens go in lulls, and sometimes you get in a run where the starting pitching isn’t there. It is what happens, and it just doesn’t feel good. And it certainly is more highlighted when the ’pen doesn’t throw the baseball well, because it costs you games."