Dodgers: It’s Time to Test Yimi Garcia in High Leverage Situations

The Dodgers’ bullpen has been streaky this season. One reliever who is starting to get hot for the Dodgers is Yimi Garcia.

The one constant for the Dodgers’ bullpen this season has been inconsistency.  Relievers in the pen have taken turns alternating between the go-to reliever and the mop-up reliever.  One of those relievers who is peaking right now is Yimi Garcia.  Yimi returned to the big leagues this season after battling injuries the last few seasons.

Despite a slow start to his 2019 season, the Dodgers stuck with Yimi Garcia since he is out of options.  He has always had good stuff, the problem has come down to injuries and being unable to stay on the field consistently.  Even after his injuries, Yimi is averaging 94 miles per hour on his fastball this season which is impressive given it’s movement.

After a slow start in March and April, Yimi Garcia has settled into his zone as the season progresses.  In six June outings, Yimi has a 1.42 ERA and .050 batting average against.  In his six-plus innings this month, Garcia has allowed just one hit and one run while striking out six batters and walking zero.

One thing working for Yimi this season is the fact that he has shut down left and right-handed batters.  Lefties are hitting just .108 against Yimi and right-handed batters are hitting just .172 against righties.  Despite his ERA that is still slightly over four, Yimi Garcia has been one of the more effective relievers out of the Dodgers’ bullpen.

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The next step for the Dodgers and Yimi Garcia is to use him in higher leverage situations.  Most of his outings have come in low leverage situations, with 23 appearances coming in low leverage spots compared to just four outings in higher leverage situations.  One of those higher leverage situations came Monday night when Yimi held the Dbacks scoreless in a tie game.

Despite the small sample size, Garcia has performed well in high leverage situations, allowing an average of just .143.  The issue has been walks for Yimi in tough situations.  With Dylan Floro struggling and allowing lefties to hit over .300 against him, it’s time for the blue to use Yimi Garcia in higher leverage situations.

Earlier in the season, Dylan Floro was automatic for Dave Roberts and the Dodgers relied on Floro to complete the bridge to Kenley Jansen.  Now Floro has regressed and is struggling to get left-handed batters out.  Yimi Garcia is getting both sides of the plate out, and at the moment is one of the better relievers in the pen outside of Pedro Baez and Kenley Jansen.

It’s time for the Dodgers to give Yimi Garcia a chance to succeed in bigger situations.  If Garcia struggles then the club knows they need to go out and acquire another reliever.  If he succeeds then it lets the Dodgers become that much more picky in acquiring a bullpen upgrade at the trade deadline.