Dodgers: Which AL Team Do the Dodgers Match Up Best With?

While the Dodger bullpen has been virtually un-hittable this post-season, the Yankees also feature a very tough bullpen that on paper was the best in the post-season before the playoffs began.  The Yankees feature the hardest thrower in baseball in Aroldis Chapman, and he is a proven closer after helping the Cubs win the World Series last year.  The Yankee bullpen features other flamethrowers in Tommy Kahnle, Delin Betances, and Chad Green.  The Yankees also brought back David Robertson this season, and he features a wipeout curveball as well as pinpoint accuracy.

The Astros bullpen was good in the regular season but has had some struggles in the playoffs.  Ken Giles is their closer and brings an upper 90’s fastball but has struggled in October as his ERA is close to nine.  The Astros also have World Baseball Classic Team USA closer Luke Gregerson who has not yet allowed a run this post-season.  They also have a multi-inning weapon in Chris Devenski who fills the Ross Stripling role for the Astros.   The one knock on the Astro pen is that they do not have a wipeout lefty reliever to neutralize Corey Seager or Cody Bellinger.  Even though Bellinger and Seager have hit well against southpaws this season, they still hit better against right-handed pitchers.

Edge: When it comes down to the pens the Yankees have the far superior bullpen.  Just like the Dodger pen, the Yankees bullpen shortens the games, and if the Dodgers are trailing after five innings, they will have a tough time scoring off the New York bullpen if they are pitching to the best of their abilities.  As it is currently constructed the Astro bullpen is very reminiscent of the Cubs bullpen in that they have a reliable closer but the issue is getting the ball over to their closer.  Delin Betances is now a mop-up pitcher for the Yankees pen which is saying something since he made the All-Star team this season.