Dodgers: The Dodgers Award Winners at the Halfway Mark

Best Reliever: Kenley Jansen

Despite his lackluster start and finish to the first half of the season, Jansen gets the nod here. He has once again proven he is one of the top closers in baseball. He is tied for the NL lead in saves and made the all-star team once again. Jansen is as solid as they come at the back end of the rotation.

Last season Dodger fans were spoiled with Jansen. He had one of the greatest seasons for a closer ever. Jansen was an absolute monster last season. Though he still spews that same confidence in 2018, the outcomes are not quite the same.

The problem with Jansen may have been fatigue. His velocity has been up and down this season and it could be a result of HEAVY usage in the post-season. Also not to be forgotten is how different his spring was this year. Not getting as much work this spring may have factored into his rough start.

Either way, Jansen settled down and has produced a nice season. This is a good season, the problem is as the great Vin Scully once said: “Good is not good when better is expected.” That has been the case for Jansen this season. A good season for a normal pitcher is not the same as a good season for Jansen.

Even with his “poor start” Jansen has easily been the best and most reliable piece of that Frankenstein of a bullpen the Dodgers have. Jansen will hopefully garner his strength over this break and return to the second half even stronger than the first-half.

Honorable Mention: Scott Alexander