Dodgers: Several players to blame for early playoff ousting

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers sits in the dug out during game five of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Nationals defeated the Dodgers 7-3 and clinch the series 3-2. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 06: Pitcher Joe Kelly #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gets a visit by manager Dave Roberts and is pulled in the sixth inning of Game 3 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 06, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Joe Kelly and Pedro Baez ineffective in NLDS

The Dodgers’ patched up their bullpen with starting pitchers and it worked for the NLDS. Kenta Maeda was LA’s best reliever in the NLDS and Dustin May pitched high leverage innings. Adam Kolarek was also very effective against Juan Soto holding him hit-less in three at-bats. Even Kenley Jansen retired all five batters he faced.

Then there are Pedro Baez and Joe Kelly. Both looked to form a dependable bridge to Kenley Jansen from June until September but both struggled in the postseason. Baez allowed four hits and one home run to Ryan Zimmerman in just 2/3 of an inning for the entire NLDS. His pitch to Zimmerman was out of the zone but Zimmerman put it over the centerfield fence.

Joe Kelly was the worst reliever in the NLDS by far. He posted an ERA of 23.14 and allowed six runs in just 2 1/3 innings. Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth inning in game five but then gave up the grand slam to Howie Kendrick that sealed the Dodgers’ season. The Dodgers expected way more from Baez and Kelly but both struggled mightily in the NLDS.