As the Dodgers prepare for yet another push toward the postseason, one lingering issue has cast a shadow over an otherwise strong campaign: the Dodgers' bullpen. Throughout the year, the relief corps has been a source of frustration for both fans and players alike, and as the regular season winds down, the concerns surrounding this group have only grown louder.
That concern was on full display in the Dodgers’ most recent loss, a 5–4 defeat against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The night began on a high note, with Shohei Ohtani looking dominant on the mound. Ohtani turned in six scoreless innings, flashing the kind of ace-level form the Dodgers envisioned when he signed. Yet despite his brilliance, the bullpen could not hold the lead. Relievers Jack Dreyer, Edgardo Henriquez, and most notably Tanner Scott all faltered. Scott, in particular, has struggled mightily this season, blowing his 10th game of the year. The collapse erased Ohtani’s stellar outing and handed the Dodgers a painful loss at a critical time in the division race.
Manager Dave Roberts did not shy away from acknowledging the bullpen woes in his postgame remarks. “We’re going to have to find a way,” Roberts said. “Not each individual. These are our guys, I do know that. I just see careful. The getting behind, the walking guys, hit batsman, that’s a sign of you’re either scared or you’re pitching too careful.” His words underscored what many have observed: the Dodgers’ relievers are not just failing to execute but often doing so in avoidable ways.
The struggles have not been limited to younger arms. Veteran relievers like Blake Treinen and Kirby Yates, once expected to anchor the bullpen in high-leverage moments, have regressed significantly this season. Instead of stabilizing the group, their inconsistency has only added to the uncertainty. And with the San Diego Padres sitting just 1.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West standings, every misstep could prove costly.
The postseason is where flaws are magnified, and for the Dodgers, the bullpen remains the biggest question mark. One potential x-factor could be Clayton Kershaw, whom Roberts has hinted may be available out of the bullpen during the postseason. The veteran left-hander’s presence could provide stability, but his role remains uncertain.
To be fair, the bullpen has not been a complete disaster. Alex Vesia, Anthony Banda, and even Dreyer, despite his most recent stumble, have delivered solid performances throughout the season. Their consistency has helped keep the Dodgers afloat and prevented the bullpen from being a total liability. Still, as October looms, “good enough” during the regular season does not always translate into success in October. For now, the Dodgers face a race against time: either find reliability in their current arms or risk another October undone by bullpen shortcomings.