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.

The post Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Considering a Change at Closer appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

After the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal was revealed this past offseason, a lot of noise was made from players around the league, especially from the Dodgers, their losing opponent in the “cheating season” of 2017. The two teams were not scheduled to face each other this year, but with the new 60 game schedule, the Dodgers came to Houston for the first time since Houston beat L.A. 13-12 in the incredible Game 5 of the 2017 World Series.

Kelly threw a fastball on a 3-0 pitch behind Alex Bregman’s head, and later taunted Carlos Correa on the way back to the dugout after striking him out. Although Kelly denied throwing at Bregman on purpose by saying, “My accuracy isn’t the best”, he threw inside at multiple Astros hitters and his obvious “pouty face” taunting of Correa has already become an internet sensation.

Dave Roberts will serve his one-game suspension immediately, while Kelly may appeal his. An eight-game suspension in a 60 game season, is as if he received a 22 game suspension, a hefty punishment even though the outspoken pitcher has received a similar punishment for intentionally throwing at the Yankees in 2018.

The post Joe Kelly Suspended 8 Games For Incident With Astros appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

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.

The post Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts Considering a Change at Closer appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

After the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal was revealed this past offseason, a lot of noise was made from players around the league, especially from the Dodgers, their losing opponent in the “cheating season” of 2017. The two teams were not scheduled to face each other this year, but with the new 60 game schedule, the Dodgers came to Houston for the first time since Houston beat L.A. 13-12 in the incredible Game 5 of the 2017 World Series.

Kelly threw a fastball on a 3-0 pitch behind Alex Bregman’s head, and later taunted Carlos Correa on the way back to the dugout after striking him out. Although Kelly denied throwing at Bregman on purpose by saying, “My accuracy isn’t the best”, he threw inside at multiple Astros hitters and his obvious “pouty face” taunting of Correa has already become an internet sensation.

Dave Roberts will serve his one-game suspension immediately, while Kelly may appeal his. An eight-game suspension in a 60 game season, is as if he received a 22 game suspension, a hefty punishment even though the outspoken pitcher has received a similar punishment for intentionally throwing at the Yankees in 2018.

The post Joe Kelly Suspended 8 Games For Incident With Astros appeared first on yoursportspot.com.