In a night that promised dominance but delivered frustration for Los Angeles Dodgers fans, the team's vaunted bullpen crumbled during Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds. Five home runs from the offense and a strong seven innings from Blake Snell weren't enough to mask the relief corps' ongoing woes, which allowed crucial runs in the late innings, handing the Reds a narrow victory on October 1.
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers' manager known for his steady hand amid chaos, faced questions about his pitching staff post-game. Indeed, the bullpen's 3.53 ERA during the regular season—fourth-best in MLB—looked anything but elite under the playoff lights. Relievers who had logged 648 innings over the year suddenly seemed unreliable, echoing struggles that plagued the unit all summer. However, Roberts remained characteristically optimistic, pointing to the return of key arms like Alex Vesia as a potential turning point.
Vesia, the left-handed specialist who posted a 2.75 ERA in 59 appearances before an August oblique strain sidelined him, rejoined the team in early September. His timely saves, including a five-out effort to sweep the Padres, had injected confidence into a group that Roberts himself called "really good" heading into 2025. Yet, with Vesia still easing back into high-leverage spots after the injury—retroactive to August 23—the Dodgers entered the postseason without their most consistent option fully firing on all cylinders. Moreover, whispers of Roberts' track record with pitcher workloads raised eyebrows; some wonder if the manager's decisions contributed to Vesia's untimely setback during a catch session in San Diego.
The bullpen's meltdown wasn't isolated. Earlier meltdowns, like the brutal eighth inning against Cleveland in May where Vesia and Tanner Scott faltered, highlighted deeper issues. Roberts stuck with Vesia through slumps, trusting his stuff despite a "little bit off" stretch in August. Now, as the series hangs in the balance, the Dodgers must rally their relief options—perhaps leaning more on unproven arms—to avoid an early exit.
Still, with the playoffs' unforgiving nature, one has to ask if this bullpen can rediscover its form before it's too late.