Dodgers: 1988 Dodgers vs. 2017 Dodgers
Bullpen
The 1988 and 2017 Dodger bullpens are both very good. The 2017 Dodgers are first in the National League, and second in all of baseball with a 2.94 ERA. The two ERA’s are also entirely different because today’s game features more specialized roles where back in 1988 it was more of the relief pitchers just trying to get as many outs as they could no matter which kind of batter came to the plate.
The 1988 bullpen main stays were:
Jay Howell – 2.08 ERA, 21 saves, 1.83 FIP, 9 K/9IP
Alejandro Pena – 1.91 ERA, 12 saves, 2.45 FIP, 7 K/9IP
Brian Holton – 1.70 ERA, 2.72 FIP, 5 K/9IP
Tim Crews – 3.14 ERA, 2.73 FIP, 5 K/9IP
Jesse Orosco – 2.72 ERA, 3.94 FIP, 7 K/9IP
The 2017 Dodger bullpen features:
Kenley Jansen – 1.33 ERA, 28 saves, 1.24 FIP, 13 K/9IP
Pedro Baez – 1.74 ERA, 3.85 FIP, 8 K/9IP
Brandon Morrow – 1.82 ERA, 1.23 FIP, 11 K/9IP
Josh Fields – 2.75 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 10 K/9IP
Luis Avilan – 3.09 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 11 K/9IP
As good as Jay Howell was in 1988 the 2017 Dodgers closer is even better as Kenley Jansen is having one of the best seasons a closer has ever had. The 1988 bullpen had lower ERA’s than the core of 2017 relievers do, but the 2017 squad has relievers that strikeout a ton of batters which can be crucial in late inning situations. The 2017 Dodgers have a handful of relievers that average double digit strikeouts per nine innings.
Edge: The better bullpen narrowly goes to the 1988 Dodgers by the slimmest of margins. Although Jansen seems to be from another world, the 1988 Dodgers featured more dependable relievers. Most Dodger fans still cringe when Pedro Baez or Josh Fields enter a game, and Luis Avilan has been beaten around by right-handed batters.