Dodgers: A pre-trade deadline look at LA’s playoff bullpen

The playoff bullpen hopefuls

With eight relievers projected to make up the Dodgers’ playoff bullpen, that leaves three open spots according to the three roster spots that are not taken up by “locks”.  Ahead of the deadline, these are the contenders for the last three playoff bullpen roster spots:

Ross Stripling, Dylan Floro, J.T. Chargois, Yimi Garcia, Casey Sadler, Caleb Ferguson

Ross Stripling could be a playoff starter for the Dodgers depending on how Rich Hill’s return from injury goes.  If Hill does return as expected in September, then Stripling is a candidate for the playoff bullpen.  While Stripling has pitched better as a starter, he is one of the few relievers who can pitch multiple innings.

Dylan Floro was one of the best relievers in baseball to start the season but struggled in May and June posting an ERA over seven in both months.  Lefties have hit .378 against Floro, although he has still been very good against right-handed batters.  As a righty specialist, Floro could still have a good impact out of the bullpen in the postseason.

Caleb Ferguson broke out last season in the Dodger bullpen but the 2019 season has been a big struggle for him.  He was part of Saturday night’s debacle in which the blue blew a 6-0 lead.  Stuff is not a question with Fergie, so it’s possible he works himself into the playoff picture as the season progresses. He needs to have a big turnaround though as he has been awful.

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J.T. Chargois and Yimi Garcia fall into the same boat.  Both relievers feature mid 90’s fastballs with a biting slider.  In Yimi’s case, lefties have hit just .151 against him while right-handed batters have hit just .160. Like Ferguson, neither Yimi or Chargois have questions about their stuff, they just need to prove they can perform in high leverage innings.

The last reliever in the conversation is the newest Dodger, Casey Sadler.  Sadler was designated for assignment by the Rays which came as a surprise.  He had a 1.86 ERA and .219 average allowed with Tampa Bay this season, across nineteen plus innings.

With the Dodgers, Casey Sadler has pitched 4 2/3 innings of low leverage ball while posting a 1.93 ERA with a .125 average against.  There is still a lot of testing to be done with Sadler but his stuff seems like it can play up in the late innings of a playoff game.

The current state of the Dodgers’ potential playoff bullpen is not bad but it can certainly improve.  It’s up to Andrew Friedman to bring in better bullpen arms so that the Dodgers don’t lose a third straight World Series with this one being the fault of the bullpen.