Dodgers: Top Three Disappointments of the First Half of the Season

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 27: Kike Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers circles the bases after hitting a 3 RBI home run in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 27: Kike Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers circles the bases after hitting a 3 RBI home run in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – JUNE 28: Pitcher Joe Kelly #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 28, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Joe Kelly’s rough start

The Dodgers saw first hand just how dominant Joe Kelly can be when he is on top of his game.  In the World Series, he pitched six shutout innings against LA while striking out ten batters and now allowing a single walk.  He was brought in by Andrew Friedman to be the main bridge to Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning and possibly even multiple innings.

So far Joe Kelly has a 6.26 ERA and that is an improvement since Kelly pitched much better in June than he had in previous months.  At one point, Joe had an ERA over nine and despite his stuff looking good, he was getting knocked around and uncomfortable to use even with a four-run lead.  The Dodgers are going to need Kelly in the postseason and if he comes around he will be a big boost to the pen as he was expected to be.