Dodgers Analysis: The Dodgers have One Major Problem: The Bullpen

LOS ANGELES, CA—Less than two weeks remain of the 2025 Major League Baseball season, and as the Los Angeles Dodgers look to embark on another postseason run, one major obstacle stands in their way: the bullpen

Of all the issues the Dodgers have faced this season, whether it’s injuries, an inconsistent offense, or the starting rotation, one issue that has remained from day one until now has been the bullpen, and that has been brought to the forefront after the first two games versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

After another strong performance by a Dodgers starting pitcher, where two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, the Dodgers bullpen proceeded to allow nine runs in the final four innings, leading to a 9-6 loss.

Although recent discussions focused on the Dodgers’ offense, especially during their East Coast road trip to Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the team has experienced a significant boost in production. Since September 1st, they rank second in the National League with a 3.0 fWAR, along with a combined .275/340/.462 slash line and a 120 wRC+.

The bullpen, however, that’s a different story.

This month, the Dodgers are tied for the worst overall bullpen in the league with a combined -0.4 fWAR and have allowed thirty-two earned runs in forty-nine innings pitched this month, good for a 5.88 ERA, the fourth-worst mark in the league.

Compared to the overall season, the stats aren’t significantly improved, with the Dodgers recording a 4.30 ERA and still pitching the second-most innings at 613.0, mainly due to the workload early in the season.

The struggles extend beyond journeymen arms to include the All-Star pitchers that the Dodgers acquired, traded for, or relied on in previous years.

Tanner Scott has been at the blunt end of the fandom’s hatred and for good reason, as the left-hander is posting some of the worst numbers of his career, allowing eleven home runs and blowing nine saves, both career highs.

After inking a massive 4-year, $72 million contract with Los Angeles in the winter to be a lockdown closer, Scott has a 4.82 ERA, and this month saw him at the tail end of three walk-off losses (two in Baltimore, one in San Francisco) and blowing the team’s combined no-hitter last week.

Veteran right-hander Kirby Yates, who was signed to a 1-year, $13 million deal after posting career-year numbers with Texas last season, has regressed heavily, allowing more home runs than ever before and having an ERA of 5.18.

Then you have dependable arm and 2024 World Series hero Blake Treinen, who was rewarded with a 2-year, $22 million deal for his heroics, but has struggled this season, allowing twelve runs in twenty-seven innings pitched, with most of his pitches looking flat.

While during this series the Dodgers saw hiccups from young lefty Justin Wrobleski, Jack Dreyer, and right-handed flame thrower Edgardo Henriquez, they’ve been very reliable when called upon in their previous outings.

While the hole is glaring and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is struggling to find players he trusts, when the calendar turns to October and the postseason starts, the Dodgers may have a different approach than in years past.

Over the years, many teams have moved away from traditional starting pitching, avoiding starters going deep into games. Now, for Los Angeles, Dave Roberts might adopt a strategy similar to the 2019 Washington Nationals.

The team encountered bullpen issues, causing Davey Martinez to primarily depend on three starters—Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer, and Aníbal Sánchez—and one reliever, Patrick Corbin, who frequently stepped in as a starter. The trusted core included only two relievers, Sean Doolittle and Daniel Hudson.

These pitchers accounted for 67% of their innings, the highest among teams in the Wild Card era, and this percentage could be even higher if all of Corbin’s relief appearances were counted as starter innings.

The Dodgers might do the same, with Sheehan moving down, but here’s where it gets complicated: the recently effective relievers mostly favor left-handed batters, with Alex Vesia, Justin Wrobleski, Jack Dreyer, and Anthony Banda all being lefties. (Additionally, there’s right-handed flamethrower Edgardo Henriquez.)

It’s hard to rely on veterans like Scott, Yates, or Michael Kopech for key moments right now. Blake Treinen has been inconsistent, too, but it’s not as bad as it appears; he’s only allowed more than one run twice since coming back from injury in late July.

The Dodgers’ starting rotation has been one of the best in baseball since August 1st, with the team ranking first in ERA (3.12), FIP (2.93), fWAR (6.6), and in the top five in innings pitched (231.0).

That essentially has to do with the health of the starters, with Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan, Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani all healthy.

With the Dodgers heading toward a Wild Card series, the team only needs three starters, which means three other arms in the rotation could move to the bullpen if needed.

If the team advances to the National League Division Series, having multiple off days throughout the schedule would also benefit the Dodgers’ starting pitchers’ first plan, allowing each arm ample time to reset and prepare for whatever the team requires, much like the Washington Nationals experienced.

Unlike the Nationals, though, the Dodgers’ offense, as mentioned, has been on a heater, and with the return of Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, and the eventual return of Will Smith, the Dodgers’ offense won’t be the reason they lose in October.

Over the last eleven games, the Dodgers need to prepare for the Wild Card series. Additionally, the Phillies’ win yesterday almost eliminated Los Angeles’ chances of securing the number two seed in the National League.

The Dodgers’ magic number for clinching another National League West title has decreased to nine, following the New York Mets’ victory over the San Diego Padres. However, during this period, the bullpen must improve, and the offense needs to stay consistent; otherwise, the Dodgers’ chance of repeating as champions will diminish.

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