While there are plenty of fingers to point toward the lackluster Dodgers offense against Blue Jays, that bullpen mess is going to be team's undoing.
Before the 2025 MLB season, the Los Angeles Dodgers spent more than $500 million on structuring a roster that could bring home a second straight World Series championship.
The Dodgers made sure that their lineup, from top to bottom, had players who could come through in the clutch. Pitching, speed, defense, and hitting - the four main elements of a solid team.
Well, how's it looking now, Dodgers fans?
It's looking pretty bleak, to be honest. The Toronto Blue Jays are now one game away from winning the World Series. Both teams are off on Thursday as this is a travel day. It might also be a day where some Dodgers players might seek out a sports psychologist.
Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage totally carved up the Dodgers lineup on Wednesday night, helping the Blue Jays score a 6-1 win in Game 5 of the 2025 World Series. He struck out 12 Dodgers hitters, working his fastball and slider with great effectiveness.
Mookie Betts has stunk in the World Series, adding to his awful postseason. The Dodgers offense only had four total hits on Wednesday night. That's it. Kiké Hernández provided Los Angeles' lone run with a solo home run.
But the Dodgers couldn't even scratch out a collective multiple-run inning. Since Freddie Freeman's game-winning solo homer in the 18th inning on Monday night, Los Angeles has seen its offense sputter.
While we've been talking about the Dodgers offense here, that bullpen is literally on fire...like burning down. Anthony Banda, Blake Treinen, and Edgardo Henriquez have not come through at all. Blake Snell left Wednesday night's start after just giving up three earned runs while on the mound. He really did perform well while the Dodgers couldn't get going at the plate.
The bullpen has been a problem all season long. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts probably has butterflies in his stomach when having to bring a reliever into a game, any game, but especially in the World Series.
While the Dodgers front office spent a ton of money on this season's roster, the bullpen situation looks like it was not addressed properly. Why in the world wasn't it addressed? In what world does Los Angeles think Shohei Ohtani can single-handedly win a world championship? Sure, Shohei has been a superstar all season long.
Yes, Ohtani has had a great performance in the World Series so far. But even the Great Shohei cannot do it all. He didn't have a fantastic game on Wednesday night, either.
Who in the world would Roberts trust if probable Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto can't deliver another complete-game gem like he did in Game 2 at Rogers Centre? Holy smokes, that might send Dodgers fans to the bar for cocktails early.
The bullpen might be the biggest factor if the Dodgers end up losing on Friday night. It's literally a situation where Los Angeles has a bullpen that isn't really coming through in the clutch.
While the Dodgers have a day off on Thursday, it might be a good time for Roberts and his coaches to get their collective heads together. The offense needs a boost; the bullpen needs some time to get their act together.
Will Klein didn't even pitch on Wednesday night. Was he not available, even after having a day off between pitching in Game 3? That's something Roberts will have to look at as well.
The Dodgers bullpen has to get their act together. All of the relievers must know when their number is called that they have to deliver.
Los Angeles, with its big payroll, is just nine innings away from going home empty handed. The time to get it together is now...right now.