Dodgers’ Bullpen Burden Boils Over in miami Loss
miami — May 7, 2024 — A late-inning collapse by the los Angeles Dodgers bullpen lead to a painful walk-off loss against the Miami Marlins, highlighting the team’s reliance on its relievers. This led to a disastrous outcome,despite strong performances from starters. The team’s high usage of the bullpen,and resulting fatigue,were key factors in the loss,a situation causing concern. For more details, read on.
Dodgers’ Bullpen Burden Boils Over in Miami Loss
Miami, Fla. — A promising night for the Los Angeles Dodgers took a sour turn as bullpen fatigue played a pivotal role in their 5-4 walk-off loss to the Miami Marlins. While key players like Tony Gonsolin and Shohei Ohtani delivered strong performances, the team’s overworked bullpen ultimately faltered in the late innings.
Gonsolin’s Solid Start, Ohtani’s Heroics
- Tony Gonsolin: In his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery, Gonsolin pitched five solid innings, allowing only two runs. This performance offered a glimpse of hope for the Dodgers’ pitching rotation.
- Shohei Ohtani: Ohtani continued his impressive run at LoanDepot park, hitting a game-tying home run in the sixth inning and a game-tying double in the seventh. He has expressed that this is
one of my favorite stadiums
to play in.
Did you know? Tommy John surgery, named after former MLB pitcher Tommy John, is a procedure to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow. Recovery typically takes 12-18 months for pitchers.
Bullpen’s Breaking Point
The Dodgers’ bullpen has been heavily relied upon this season, leading the majors with 157 innings pitched. This excessive workload has started to take its toll, forcing manager Dave Roberts to turn to less experienced relievers in crucial moments.
- Sixth Inning: With a narrow one-run lead, Roberts brought in Luis García, who surrendered two runs, giving the Marlins the lead.
- Tenth Inning: In a tied game, JP Feyereisen, recently claimed off waivers, allowed a bases-loaded walk-off single to Jesús Sánchez.
we had a few guys that were down, and so that’s kind of the cost of it.
Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager
Roberts acknowledged the strain on the bullpen, stating, Absolutely not [do] we want to lead the league in bullpen innings.
Root Causes of the Overload
the bullpen’s heavy workload is not by design but a outcome of several factors:
- Injuries to Starting Rotation: injuries have disrupted the Dodgers’ pitching plans, requiring more bullpen innings.
- Lack of Length from Starters: The dodgers rank last in innings pitched by starting pitchers, further burdening the bullpen.
Pro Tip: Managing a bullpen’s workload is crucial for a team’s success throughout the season. Teams often use strategies like “redlining” pitchers to limit their innings and ensure they are fresh for critical games.
Key Relievers Stretched Thin
Several key relievers have seen significant action:
- Kirby yates and Alex Vesia are tied for the major league lead with 19 appearances.
- Tanner Scott (18) and Anthony Banda (17) follow closely behind.
- Evan Phillips had pitched in seven of the 14 games since his return from the injured list in late April.
- Blake Treinen is on the injured list with a forearm injury,and Michael Kopech has been sidelined all season with a shoulder problem.
Roberts has been “redlining” some of his most trusted arms to manage their workload. On Tuesday,Yates and Phillips were unavailable after pitching full innings the previous night.
Game-Changing Moments
- Luis García’s Struggles: García,who had a decent 3.78 ERA over 17 outings, faltered in the sixth inning. Agustin ramírez doubled, followed by Connor Norby’s RBI double and Matt Mervis’s single, giving the Marlins a 4-3 lead.
- Feyereisen’s Unfortunate Return: Feyereisen, claimed off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks, made his second appearance as a Dodger. After intentionally walking a batter and loading the bases, Jesús Sánchez hit a walk-off single.
The Dodgers’ concerns about their bullpen workload have materialized, leading to the inevitable consequences of managing an overtaxed pitching staff.
