After yet another shaky performance in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 6-5 win over the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the NLDS, it appears that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts might be ready to pull the plug on Kenley Jansen as the team’s closing pitcher.
The Dodgers entered the top of the ninth inning with 3 outs left to go and a 6-3 lead. Roberts, as he has so many times over the past several seasons, went to the Curacaoan closer out of the bullpen to secure the game and take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Things didn’t quite go to plan, however.
Jansen struck out the first batter, but then gave up a single to Jake Cronenworth, who scored immediately after reaching base on a Mitch Moreland double. After forcing catcher Austin Nola to pop out in foul territory, Jansen then gave up another RBI single to Trent Grisham to draw the score to 6-5, forcing Roberts to take out his closer.
Joe Kelly recorded the final out to earn the save and prevent the Dodgers from blowing a crucial Game 2, but Jansen’s recent performances have Roberts thinking about using alternative options in the ninth inning. He recorded a 3.33 ERA in the regular season, far above his career mark of 2.39.
When asked about if he’s going to make a change at the position, Roberts said, “I’m gonna keep thinking through it.”
The Dodgers could opt to go to a closer-by-committee format with Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, and Victor Gonzalez all potential options in the ninth inning.
