Sports Talk 4 Dummies

So what does the 2019 Dodgers season so far look like?

It’s September and how about those Dodgers.

We were mid-way through the season at right around the time of the All Star Break; the Dodgers were in First Place, not only in the Western Division of the National League, but also for the whole National League.

The Dodgers were well over 600% games won, the closest to them and in second was the Atlanta Braves at around 590%.

Many sport enthusiasms have already made the predication that the Dodgers will once again make it all the way to the World Series for the third time in a row

Maybe three times will be the charm for the Dodgers and they will come home with a World Series win.

World Series 2019 Odds: Dodgers, Astros Favored, But Yankees, Cubs Are Best Bets In Baseball. www.ibtimes.com/world-series-2019

Or maybe not!  If you have actually watch any of the Dodger games, win or lose, it’s not a pretty site.

They are sorely lacking in the ‘Bullpen’.  Just a few weeks ago I watch the Kershaw hand the ball over to bullpen with the score, Dodgers 6 and the Marlins 1, and of course you would naturally think that with a 5 run lead, no problem, ring up another win for the dodgers.

However, with the bullpen, nothing can be taking for granted. When the Dodgers came up to bat in the bottom of the eighth, the score was tied, 6 to 6.

The Marlins had scored 5 runs in the top of the eighth. Only due to the fact that the dodgers scored 4 runs and for Baez to hold it together to get the win .

The Dodgers are in desperate need of a reliever and a closer. www.truebluela.com/2019

From the above article: ‘Looking around at the bullpen, essentially every player has underwhelmed this year, with there being a level of concern across the board. Kenley Jansen is having one of the worst seasons of his career, with his ERA just under four.

Joe Kelly, who was signed to be the go-to guy come October, hasn’t lived up to his contract yet. Pedro Baez has been solid, but has had appearances where he implodes.

Scott Alexander and Caleb Ferguson, both left-handers, have struggled immensely this season, and neither one is currently on the active roster.

Yimi Garcia has looked good at times, but has been shaky over the last two years and has only one postseason game under his belt. Dylan Floro started off great, but has an ERA of eight since the middle of May.

When all goes right, this bullpen can look really good on most nights. But with the Dodgers looking to avoid their third straight World Series loss, is that something you want to take a chance on?
 
Dodgers: Possible “Damaged Goods” to Help the Bullpen. dodgersway.com/2019

Unfortunately, it has happened several times this season where the starting pitchers have handed a winning game over to the bullpen just to watch them blow it and unfortunately the dodgers haven’t been able to come from behind and take back the win .

However, the bullpen isn’t the only problem, Kenley Jansen isn’t pitching as well as he use to. Perhaps it is due to all the minor injuries taking their toll or perhaps it is the first sign of ‘old’ age creeping in.

Whatever the problem is, he is definitely struggling

Apparently this is not the first year that Jansen has had his troubles, last year many sports announcer were asking the same question, ‘What’s wrong with Jansen?’

What’s wrong with Kenley Jansen? Written back in April 2018. mlb.nbcsports.com/2018

Dave Roberts and upper management is going to have to deal with the above problems if the dodgers have any chance of not only getting to the World Series, but winning it at well.

At least the Dodgers did a few trades that have actually worked in their behalf.

They acquired Will Smith who would immediately become a fan favorite.

Then just before the July 31, 2019 deadline, they also acquired Tony Gonsolin, who immediately pitched four shut-out innings on July 30, helping the Dodgers get a win over the Rockies.

Tony had help from another played acquired at the same time, Kristopher Negron, and Tyler White who have also become instant fan favorites.

With all the dodgers that were on the DL, these additions were able to step-up and help the Dodgers stay in first place and hopefully will be a more rested team going into the playoffs and eventfully the World Series.

As Dodger fans, we can only hope that both Baez and Jansen will be up for the challenge or Dave Roberts will finally come to the conclusion, that neither Baez or Jansen are up for it and will use one of the several other pitchers, including Joe Kelly, that might be a better choice in the upcoming playoffs.

It will be great to not only see the Dodgers make it all the way the ‘World Series, but this time get the win, after all they say ‘that the third time is a charm’.

Go Blue !!