Dodgers News: Hold Off on the Panic Button, Kenley’s Just Fine

We’re coming up on August, and as Dodger fans, we all know what that means – time for the annual Kenley debate. It seems that around this time every year, in the midst of the dog days of summer, the Dodger faithful begin to get fed up with Kenley Jansen and start to call for his removal as the team’s closer. However, this year, Dodger fans need to take a step back and look at Jansen’s full body of work and not focus on the three consecutive blown saves that occurred this past week, two of which came against the San Francisco Giants, who currently have the best record in baseball.

Here is the deal: Prior to the three game series against the Giants at Dodger Stadium that saw Jansen blow saves on back to back nights, Jansen had exhibited the elite form that earned him three consecutive all-star appearances spanning from 2016-2018. Many people around the game were surprised that Jansen was not named a 2021 National League All-Star, perhaps none more than Jansen himself. Following the release of All-Star Game rosters, Jansen said: “It’s like an insult, kind of. I guess I gotta put up a zero ERA and have zero blown saves, probably, for me to get recognized”.

Although Jansen (along with every other pitcher in the league) was unable to put up those ridiculous video game type numbers, he came pretty damn close. At the all star break, the Dodger all time saves leader was among league leaders in every statistical category among relievers, sporting a 1.24 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and converted 21 of 23 save opportunities. Compare those numbers to 2021 NL All-Star Mark Melancon, closer for the San Diego Padres (2.04 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, converted 27 of 31 save opportunities), and Jansen has a very valid point. Although he trailed Melancon by six saves, Jansen’s ERA was almost a full run lower and WHIP was significantly lower as well.

Some could argue that, similar to wins, saves are a statistic of opportunity, and Jansen’s save percentage, which at the all star break was higher than Melancon’s, should be looked at more than just the number of converted saves itself. Should Jansen be discredited for not having as many saves even though he has not had nearly the amount of opportunities as some of the other top closers around baseball? I would argue he shouldn’t.

Kenley’s velocity is back up between 93-95 miles per hour thanks to a mechanical tweak. His best pitch, the cutter, which when he loses command of tends to lead to a lot of his struggles, is cutting once again. Jansen has been incredible all year for the Dodgers. It is very easy for Dodger fans to have a short leash when it comes to Jansen, and frankly it is understandable. 2019 and 2020 were not the best years of Jansen’s career and Dodger fans tend to get frustrated when year after year, manager Dave Roberts sticks with Jansen as his closer.

After Jansen faltered on back to back nights against the Giants, Roberts was asked about Jansen’s role as the team’s closer, to which he replied: “Fans certainly have a right to voice their frustrations, I get that. But I do believe that this guy, born and raised as a Dodger, what he does — he cares about the Dodgers, the fan base, and he’s shown that on the field, off the field. No one hurts more than he does, to be quite honest. He’s worked really hard to kind of get back, should’ve been an All-Star this year, and he’s had a fantastic season”.

I agree with Doc. Jansen has been a stud all year, and if Sheldon Neuse knew how to stretch or first base umpire Ed Hickox does not miss a blatant checked swing call, Dodger nation does not get all up in arms and start calling for Kenley’s job, and this article is not being written.

There is no defending the first blown save against San Francisco, which saw Jansen give up a go ahead two run homer to Wilmer Flores, followed by another earned run and saw his season ERA jump from 1.45 to 2.15.

The following night, Jansen was not solely to blame. There were two much bigger culprits responsible for the Dodgers’ loss.

With the bases loaded, two outs, and the Dodgers ahead 3-1, Jansen induced what should have been a game ending ground out resulting in a Dodger win and Jansen’s 22nd save of the year. Shortstop Chris Taylor fielded the ball, tossed it over to second baseman Sheldon Neuse and the runner was called out on the field which would have ended the game. The play was incredibly close, the Giants challenged the call on the field, and the runner was called safe. Sheldon Neuse just stood on second base waiting for the throw. He didn’t stretch towards Taylor or the ball in an attempt to shorten the distance and receive the ball any sooner. If he does, the runner is out and the game is over. He doesn’t, runner is safe, run scores, 3-2 game. Dodgers still ahead by a run.

Next to the plate was Darin Ruf, who on a 3-2 pitch from Jansen attempted to check his swing, clearly went around, however first base umpire Ed Hickox somehow saw it differently than every member of the Dodgers and the 50,000 fans in the stadium. Hickox signaled that Ruf checked his swing, resulting in a walk for Ruf and a tie game. Another blown save.

Three bad outings following the all-star break saw Jansen’s ERA rise from 1.24 to 3.05. It is back down to 2.97 following a save this weekend against the Colorado Rockies.

From May 1 through the all-star break, Kenley Jansen allowed a total of two earned runs spanning 27 appearances. Let me repeat that: TWO EARNED RUNS SPANNING 27 APPEARANCES. If that doesn’t scream “elite”, I do not know what does. For what it’s worth, both of those runs came in the same outing on May 28 against San Francisco, so if Kenley can figure out his struggles against San Francisco, he will be good to go.

Oftentimes, the closer role gets taken for granted. It is far and away the highest pressure position in baseball. Almost every time a closer makes an appearance, it is in the 9th inning with the lead in a tight game. The closer’s job is to keep that lead and secure the win. However, when he falters, it more often than not results in a loss, unlike when a starter or middle reliever falters and the team has time to come back and win the ballgame. Passionate fans tend to overreact when a closer struggles because it directly results in losses for the team. The magnification is even greater when the games are against the team you’re trying to catch in the standings.

Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. The goal is to have your best possible team on the field in October, not July. The Dodgers will bolster their bullpen at the trade deadline and will have a backup plan if Kenley continues to falter down the stretch. But let’s give the guy, who has proven himself time and time again, a chance to work his way through this bump in the road. It is the least he deserves.