The Los Angeles Dodgers have entered Terminator mode and it can be scary to think, but they are about to get deeper and better with a deep reinforcement.
We’ll get to the latter in a second. First, where were we? Yes, the Terminator.
With yet another seemingly easy win over a team in the playoff spot on Tuesday night (10-3 over the Twins), here’s a list of the Dodgers’ best picks right now:
Good cry, Dodgers, we get it. You are amazing at baseball.
Of course, they are in both and unfortunate position where the regular season doesn’t matter much, as discussed in this week’s MLB Power Rankings. Whether 2022 is a success or a complete failure will come down to how the Dodgers perform in October (and early November). Remember, manager Dave Roberts promised they would win it all in March. The funny thing is, it wasn’t that big of a deal. They really believe they are going to win the World Series. If only they didn’t.
Speaking of bad, they have to have one, right? It is clear that something can affect them in the playoffs, much in the same way that they lost in the NLCS in 2021 and NLDS in 2019. In looking at the roster, I immediately entered the last time.
Next up is Craig Kimbrel. He converted 20 of his 23 save opportunities. The Dodgers as a team only struck out 11 times. Only three teams have less and one of them (the Tigers) rarely leads the charge.
This means that on the surface, it doesn’t really feel like there is a problem. Maybe nothing. It’s just that Kimbrel can’t seem to get a clean inning. In 39 innings this season, he gave up 41 hits, 17 walks and two hit batters. His 1.49 WHIP is terrifying for a closer. He allows opposing batting averages of .261, which is 18 points higher than the league average. His .339 on-base percentage is 27 points higher than the league average.
The eye test stops here. Hell, if anything, it’s worse. Most of the time, it seems like he doesn’t know where his tracks will end up and it’s like pulling teeth just to throw a beat and record out.
I found myself thinking that even if the Dodgers go on to win 110-plus games, their season will end in mid-October with Kimbrel on the hill and a lowly team celebrating. After all, running the gauntlet of close-knit playoff teams is much more difficult than surviving the regular season games.
On the other hand, the Dodgers have more in their favor right now. First, there are still eight weeks left in the season for the Dodgers to work on late innings — and, again, they don’t really have a safety problem. Second, there are some serious enforcement concerns along the way.
At the very least, the Dodgers are going to take May, Graterol and Treinen back. They can also add Kahnle, Duffy, Buehler and Kershaw. We’re talking about pitching staffs with the best ERA in the majors while getting more than a few hands that move the needle back.
Again, let’s sing the praises of Evan Phillips. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 1.43 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 0.82 WHIP and 52 strikeouts against 11 unintentional walks in 44 innings. He held opposing hitters to a measly .160/.229/.227 slash. Of the 19 runners he inherited, 16 were stopped. He has gotten better as the season has ended. In his last 27 appearances, Phillips allowed just one earned run on 11 hits in 26 innings while striking out 30.
Even if we toss Kimbrel aside, it’s not hard to imagine a bullpen locked in the competition behind Phillips, Graterol, Treinen and, say, May and Buehler.
We all know the phrase, “an embarrassment of riches” and that is the case here. The Dodgers have the best offense in the NL and arguably in baseball. They went down as one of the best bats in baseball despite a fair number of serious injuries and near baserunner issues. They are set to bring back a few top-shelf arms before the playoffs, too.
Terminator mode? Yes, I would. They won’t be invincible, but it will be a long order to get rid of them.
