Dodgers: Reviewing the Bullpen’s May Performance

The Bad

Ross Stripling has proven to be a very good fourth or fifth option in the rotation, however, he has not been very successful as a reliever. That trend continued over the month of May. He just does not seem content or comfortable coming in out of the bullpen. As a long reliever, he does hold some upside, but if Roberts continues to use him in high leverage situations he is setting him up for failure.

Ross Stripling is forever going to be a player stuck in the middle. He is not good enough to crack the current rotation, yet he is not suited for a relief role. His numbers don’t look terrible, but if you watch him pitch you’ll understand why he is here. Stripling allowed 9 hits in 8.2 innings of work.

Once again Yimi Garcia was not terrible, but he was not good either. He was very inconsistent during May. After dominating in his first 2 appearances, Garcia went into Cincinnati and gave up 3 runs in 1.1 innings of work. He followed that with 2 more solid appearances before failing to record an out against the Mets.

His lack of consistency is worrisome, and that is not something Los Angeles wants in a late-inning reliever. The stuff is definitely there for Garcia. He held opponents to .207 BAA in May. His issues come when he falls behind in the count and puts himself into hitter’s counts.