Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2-0 lead over the San Diego Padres after their 6-5 win last night.
But all isn’t well in LA. Once again, the Dodgers have the best roster in the National League and there’s a glaring hole in the roster and it is an important one.
Kenley Jansen is no longer the closer by default. Jansen blew last night’s save but the Dodgers survived. So did Dave Roberts. “I expected him to get those outs,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
There is no stomach to get rid of Roberts but he can’t keep coming up short of a World Series win. It isn’t good enough to the 2000’s version of the 1990s Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers are staring at one of the future teams in the National League. The Padres are set up for the future and they don’t mind flexing their muscles. It is the Dodgers front office’s job to keep up with their little sibling.
The Dodgers have spent the last few years blowing opportunity after opportunity. There was the Houston Astros cheating. Clayton Kershaw giving up untimely home runs. Roberts’ dubious decision to stick with Joe Kelly against the Washington Nationals. All have robbed the Dodgers of World Series rings.
On paper, this year should play in LA’s favor. The team has incredible depth and that will be useful in the Covid-19 impacted MLB playoffs that spans over four series. None of this means any thing if the Dodgers can’t close games. Last season, Jansen blew eight saves. The days of Jansen being automatic are gone. The Dodgers can’t trust him if he’s going to turn into the 1985 version of Tom Niedenfuer.
But what are the other options? Kelly isn’t the answer but he might be the only choice if LA finds themselves in the same pickle they got into last night. Roberts could turn to Blake Treinen, Tony Gonsolin or Brusdar Graterol.
Closers don’t grow on trees and MLB complicated things with the three batter minimum rule.
With everything that happened last night, it’s hard to remember that the Dodgers haven’t lost a playoff game this season. But recent history reminds the Dodgers and their fans that objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.
