Dodgers: Bullpen Decisions in Possible NLDS Matchups

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KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 29: Jake Lamb /

Arizona Diamondbacks

With the exclusion of Kenley Jansen, who is guaranteed to make the playoff roster, here is how the Dodgers’ bullpen has fared lifetime against Arizona:

Player	AB	H	Avg	HR	RBI	BB	K
Avilan	44	12	0.270	3	9	8	9
Baez	87	15	0.172	5	13	9	28
Cingrani	44	10	0.227	2	6	5	17
Fields	53	12	0.226	2	7	4	14
Maeda	165	42	0.255	9	26	12	41
McCarthy	89	24	0.269	1	6	5	24
Morrow	41	10	0.243	1	4	8	11
Ryu	107	29	0.271	4	14	13	21
Stewart	35	8	0.228	1	3	3	9
Stripling	85	23	0.271	2	10	6	20
Watson	68	18	0.265	4	13	4	9
Wood	143	39	0.272	5	22	14	32

Looking at this chart, several things pop out immediately. The first (and perhaps most alarming) the thing is that Pedro Baez has absolutely dominated the Diamondbacks. In fact, he has the lowest batting average against them in his career out of all Dodger bullpen members not named Jansen. Baez has had a horrible two months, but these numbers are tough to ignore.

The other number that pops out is how well Tony Cingrani has done versus Tony Watson and Luis Avilan. In a battle of left-handed relieving, it seems as though two of these three guys will be making the playoff roster. (Avilan is supposed to miss the NLDS so Watson should make it). With a .227 batting average against and 17 strikeouts, Cingrani seems like the front-runner in an Arizona match-up.

Cingrani and Baez also match up great against the Diamondbacks’ starting roster* as well, both holding them to under .200 batting averages.

Cingrani has less experience against them but has held their starters to a .158 batting average. Based off of these stats, as well as whether or not Roberts carries a five-man bench, here are the probables:

Baez, Cingrani, Fields, Jansen, Maeda, Morrow, Stewart, Stripling, Watson

*Assuming a lineup that consists of Ianetta, Goldschmidt, Drury, Marte, Lamb, Peralta, Pollock and Martinez*

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