Dodgers' fresh reliever's hot streak could eventually be postseason advantage

Stabilizing the bullpen was the theme of the Los Angeles Dodgers' offseason, and given the injuries the pitching staff has faced this season, it continued at the deadline. As the Dodgers prepare for another playoff run in October, their bullpen remains the focus. As Jim Bowden put it for The Athletic, it could be their biggest concern as they head into September.

"On the season, the Dodgers’ bullpen ranks 20th in ERA and 22nd in WHIP, and the group has 21 blown saves. When you compare their pen to those of NL contenders such as the Padres, Phillies, Cubs, Brewers and Mets, it looks to be at the bottom. If there is an Achilles’ heel for this Dodgers team in October, it will likely be the bullpen."

While it does feel excessive to say that the Dodgers, on paper, will have a worse bullpen than a team like the Chicago Cubs once the playoffs start, there's no question that the bullpen does seem to be their weakness. While they still have a laundry list of relief pitchers on the IL, there is some light at the end of the tunnel with Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates recently returning.

Dodgers may have found their bullpen fix just in time for playoffs

Even better, the Dodgers may have unlocked a secret weapon in their bullpen. Edgardo Henriquez has been among the handful of arms Los Angeles has tried in their bullpen as they navigate the injuries, and he has rewarded their faith with an electric run. Beyond matching a Dodgers' franchise record with a 103.3 MPH fastball earlier this month, Henriquez has yet to allow a run through his first 11 appearances this season (to go with a 0.91 WHIP).

What's even scarier is the fact that Henriquez hasn't had his strikeout pitch working during his initial run with the Dodgers. Henriquez is striking out just over 16% of the hitters he has faced this season, but that feels like a number that will be on the rise soon.

During his ascent through the Dodgers' system, Henriquez has routinely struck out hitters at a rate higher than 30%. If he even comes in shouting distance of that before the end of the season, he is a weapon that the Dodgers will be implored to use throughout the playoffs. The fact he's having this type of success without high strikeout numbers just goes to show he could be well-equipped to get outs in a variety of ways when they matter most.

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