Dodgers: 5 Reasons the 2017 Dodgers are better than 2016

The 2017 Dodger bullpen has more depth than the 2016 ‘pen

The Dodgers 2016 bullpen was solid, but it did not have much depth after Pedro Baez and Kenley Jansen.  In the playoffs last year Jansen had to go more than one inning a few times, and as we all witnessed, Clayton Kershaw even had to come in to finish a game.  This year the Dodgers bullpen has added a dynamic weapon in Brandon Morrow.

Morrow has essentially replaced Pedro Baez as the primary setup man and even if he is used in the seventh inning, he provides the Dodgers with yet another bridge to ace reliever Kenley Jansen. Last year’s squad also had troubles in the playoffs getting left-handed hitters out, primarily Grant Dayton who struggled after being unhittable all season. This year the Dodgers are still sorting out who their primary left-handed relievers are but they have a few a handful of arms to choose from in Tony Watson, Tony Cingrani, Luis Avilan and Grant Dayton.

Even with last year’s ‘pen being good in the regular season once the playoffs came it pretty much was Baez and Jansen as the main trusted relievers to hold things down.  This season Fields, Morrow, Baez, and of course Jansen gives the team four trusted relievers who Dave Roberts won’t be hesitant to call upon. Avilan is also coming on strong lately and could emerge as the primary left-handed setup man.