3 questions Dodgers need answered before 2022 postseason starts

The Los Angeles Dodgers are, on paper, the best team in Major League Baseball, and have blitzed through the competition for months now. LA fans know better than anybody, though, that your regular season triumphs have nothing to do with the playoffs.

Yes, it’ll be swell when the Dodgers have home field advantage throughout, but, like many other teams bound for October, LA has holes, questions and concerns. Look at last year’s 106-win team! It all unraveled so quickly and left fans speechless.

This time around, the Dodgers are better prepared. Their depth is arguably the best in the league. Despite various pitching injuries/absences, they own the lowest ERA in the sport. The offense is nearly unstoppable — there’s no easy out in the entire lineup, with the exception of Cody Bellinger (if he’ll even be a postseason starter).

But don’t get too cocky, LA fans. Postseason baseball is a different animal, and one deficiency can send a team spiraling out of control en route to an early exit.

If the Dodgers don’t answer these questions over the next few weeks of the regular season, that sadly could be their fate.

What issues could doom the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2022 playoffs?

3. Can Dodgers Trust Chris Taylor?

Folks … what is going on with Chris Taylor? He’s somehow been even worse after recovering from his broken foot in July. He missed a full month of action and returned in the first week of August, but the decline has now reached concerning levels.

As of Thursday, Taylor’s hitting .227 with a .698 OPS, 90 OPS+ and a whopping 143 strikeouts in 105 games. His defensive versatility (2B, SS, 3B and all three outfield spots) will likely have him in the lineup often, which has fans worried about his offensive production.

Look, most fans understand Taylor isn’t an MVP candidate, but he’s an above-average producer and elite utility player. His defense has at least been great, which will play into manager Dave Roberts’ ability to shift things around.

But with Bellinger already being a black hole on offense, Gavin Lux making his way back from injury, and Max Muncy still trying to put it all together, a bad postseason from Taylor could be detrimental.

1. What’s the Dodgers’ Bullpen Hierarchy?

Those nine straight scoreless outings from Craig Kimbrel were great, weren’t they? Then Wednesday happened. The right-hander surrendered a three-run walk-off homer against the Diamondbacks to bring out the critics in full force.

What also didn’t help was Roberts being non-committal (again) about Kimbrel’s role in the ninth with the playoffs approaching. About that …

What will the bullpen hierarchy be? Blake Treinen’s brief return has him back on the injured list. Brusdar Graterol still isn’t healthy. Tommy Kahnle has thrown six innings since the start of 2020. Victor González and Danny Duffy, both of whom could be slated for returns, haven’t pitched this year. Is it time to rule them out?

What’s the answer? Evan Phillips? He’s been great, but this is his first, full, productive MLB season. Alex Vesia? Could be! He’s been great the last two years. What will David Price’s role be upon his return? Does Yency Almonte fit into this picture?

As you can see, the Dodgers’ bullpen is decimated, and many of the key figures who would be able to handle save situations, outside of Kimbrel, are either wildly inexperienced or unhealthy at the moment. With the clock ticking, Roberts has a finite amount of time to establish an order of operations in the ‘pen that he feels most comfortable with ahead of the playoffs.

But right now, there are far more questions than answers. And though the Dodgers have remained afloat with a productive group of relievers, it may not fly in October.

Dave Roberts’ comments on Craig Kimbrel leave Dodgers’ bullpen plan up in air

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel blew a save on Wednesday night and manager Dave Roberts' comments leave the postseason plan up in the air.