Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — In a pregame interview ahead of NLCS Game 6, Dodgers lefty Anthony Banda shed light on the factors driving the bullpen’s success this postseason. The Dodgers, relying on a bullpen game strategy, are looking to punch their ticket to the World Series, and Banda credited the bullpen’s effectiveness to a clear understanding of their roles and a strong sense of trust. “It has a lot to do with understanding our job, and that regardless of what happens, we’re going to pick each other up,” Banda said, emphasizing the confidence and execution of the bullpen staff.
Banda attributed much of the success to the communication and data-driven approach the Dodgers employ. He noted that the organization excels at identifying individual strengths and finding ways to enhance them. “They see what others see and exploit that,” Banda explained, adding that the communication between players and coaches helps the team pinpoint areas for improvement, whether in pitch selection or mechanics. He shared that the coaching staff’s message to him upon his arrival was simple: “Just be yourself.” This supportive environment has been crucial in helping pitchers unlock their potential and find success when it matters most.
Reflecting on his growth as a pitcher this season, Banda spoke about maturing and becoming more confident on the mound. “I think I matured as a pitcher mostly in the idea of understanding my strengths and… the plan of attack,” he said. A significant change for him was the addition of a slider to his repertoire. Banda described how the Dodgers’ coaching staff helped him refine the pitch by correcting a misunderstanding about throwing breaking balls. Using high-speed camera technology, the team showed him how to achieve the desired movement by focusing on pronation rather than traditional techniques. “When I saw that [slow-motion] camera… it really opened my eyes,” he said, explaining that the adjustment allowed him to develop an effective slider that didn’t sacrifice velocity.
The topic of momentum was also brought up, particularly how it affects the pitching staff. Banda believes that momentum plays a significant role for pitchers, just as it does for hitters. “You can feel it shift, you can feel it when the offense is clicking,” he noted. Following a big offensive inning, the bullpen’s job is to “go and have a shutdown inning” to maintain control of the game. Banda likened the bullpen’s approach to a relay race, where each pitcher hands the baton to the next, with the expectation that everyone will do their job to “put up another zero.”
Banda highlighted the camaraderie in the bullpen, where pitchers feed off each other’s success and motivate one another to perform at their best. He stressed the importance of maintaining the team’s plan of attack throughout the game, with each reliever prepared to step in and keep the momentum on the Dodgers’ side.
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