The Los Angeles Dodgers came into this season with sky-high expectations. Some thought they’d dominate the National League West and maybe even win 120 games.
Instead of cruising toward another division title, the team now finds itself chasing the surging San Diego Padres. The Padres’ hot streak and stronger bullpen have given them the upper hand.
Offensive improvements and the return of key starters have helped a bit. Still, the Dodgers’ inability to protect late leads keeps haunting them.
With a critical six-game stretch against the Padres coming up, this feels like a make-or-break moment for their season.
The Dodgers’ Bullpen Woes: A Season-Long Problem
From the jump, the Dodgers’ bullpen just hasn’t held up. The relief crew has blown leads over and over, undoing solid starts from their rotation and clutch hits from stars like Mookie Betts.
Recent games have turned into episodes of frustration for fans. Late-inning meltdowns keep erasing hard-fought advantages, and it’s wearing thin.
A Costly Trade Deadline Strategy
Many thought Los Angeles would go all-in on bullpen help at the trade deadline. Instead, President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman focused on shoring up the farm system.
This long-term approach might pay off someday, but right now it’s left the Dodgers exposed. With no big relief additions, the same bullpen issues have stuck around—or maybe even gotten worse.
Key Players Returning, But Relief Help Still Lacking
The Dodgers recently got starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell back, which is a huge boost for the rotation. Betts is also heating up at the plate, finally giving the offense a spark.
But honestly, all that starting pitching won’t matter much if the bullpen keeps coughing up late leads.
Possible Reinforcements on the Horizon
There’s a little hope on the horizon. Pitchers Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, and Michael Kopech could return before the playoffs.
But none of them will be back in time for the next 10 days, which could decide the Dodgers’ fate in the division. Until then, manager Dave Roberts has to cobble together late innings from a bullpen that’s been anything but reliable.
The Padres Seize Momentum
While the Dodgers keep stumbling, the San Diego Padres are on fire. They’ve won 14 of their last 17 games and surged into first place in the NL West.
The difference is pretty obvious. The Padres have one of baseball’s best bullpens—and they didn’t just stand pat.
Trade Deadline Bullpen Boost
At the deadline, the Padres picked up Mason Miller, making their late-inning group even scarier. Now, closing out games is a strength for San Diego, while it’s the Dodgers’ biggest sore spot.
The gap between these teams stood out during the Dodgers’ recent sweep by the Angels. Blown leads in the late innings killed any chance of salvaging wins.
High Stakes in the Coming Series
The National League playoff race is getting tight, and the Dodgers only have the league’s fifth-best record right now. That could cost them a first-round playoff bye, which they had last year.
Over the next 10 days, they’ll face the Padres six times. This stretch might decide whether the Dodgers reclaim first place or fall further behind.
What’s at Stake
In these head-to-head games, the Dodgers have to figure out their bullpen issues—or they might watch their season slip away. Each game feels like a playoff battle, with the division lead in the balance.
- Dodgers’ bullpen ERA among the worst in late innings.
- Padres’ bullpen ranked No. 1 in MLB after Miller addition.
- The next 10 days could decide the NL West champion.
The Road Ahead
The Dodgers still have the talent for a deep postseason run. But if they don’t fix their bullpen’s reliability, that journey could end sooner than fans hope.
Right now, everyone’s watching the upcoming Padres series. It’s the kind of showdown that might decide the fate of the 2024 NL West division title.
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Here is the source article for this story: Hernández: Dodgers’ failure to improve their bullpen spurred freefall with no end in sight
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