In a night that exposed the fragility of the Los Angeles Dodgers' relief corps once again, the team stumbled in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card against the Cincinnati Reds. Five home runs from the offense and a solid seven innings from Blake Snell weren't enough to mask the bullpen's meltdown, which has plagued the squad all season. Indeed, as the Dodgers eye a deep postseason run, manager Dave Roberts faces mounting pressure to steady a unit that's blown leads with alarming regularity.
Alex Vesia, the left-handed reliever who's become a linchpin in high-leverage spots, seemed poised for a strong finish after returning from an oblique strain in early September. His 2.75 ERA over 59 appearances this year had restored confidence, especially after that five-out save against the Padres in August that sealed a sweep. Yet, whispers of concern linger from his August injury, when tightness in his right side sidelined him for weeks. Roberts, ever the optimist, downplayed the severity at the time, insisting it was minor. However, his track record with pitcher workloads—pushing arms like Vesia through fatigue—has drawn quiet scrutiny from analysts, raising flags about whether the skipper's faith borders on recklessness.
Moreover, the bullpen's postseason woes aren't isolated. During the regular season, they posted a respectable 3.53 ERA, ranking fourth in the majors, but cracks showed in key moments, like the brutal eighth-inning collapse against the Guardians in May where Vesia and Tanner Scott combined to surrender crucial runs. Roberts has stuck by Vesia through slumps before, even in 2023 when the pitcher's command faltered badly. Now, with the playoffs demanding perfection, the manager's decisions feel heavier. Vesia himself expressed optimism post-return, touting the group's potential for 2025, but actions speak louder.
Still, as the series hangs in the balance, one wonders if Roberts can rally this volatile group before it's too late.