Too Near and Too Much: The Dodgers Are Saved by Tommy Edman’s Clutch Hit — Is LA Prepared for a Bullpen Game?
In the midst of a tense MLB season, the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to grapple with issues both on the field and in their bullpen. Despite boasting one of the most formidable lineups in the league, the Dodgers have found themselves leaning more and more on their bullpen, and with each passing game, questions about their ability to navigate a bullpen game in high-stakes situations grow more pressing. In one of the latest games, it wasn’t a big-name star like Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman who came to the rescue — it was Tommy Edman, a player who had only recently been added to the Dodgers roster, who provided a clutch hit that ultimately kept their hopes alive.
But the win against a tough opponent didn’t come without its challenges. The bullpen’s performance was shaky at best, highlighting a deeper issue that has begun to raise eyebrows in Los Angeles: is this team ready for a bullpen game when it counts? Can they rely on their pitchers to hold up when their starting rotation is thin, or when injuries and fatigue threaten to derail their season?
Tommy Edman’s late-game heroics have provided a much-needed spark for the Dodgers, a team that has had its fair share of ups and downs this season. The versatile infielder, known for his strong defensive play and decent bat, has brought a level of energy to the Dodgers’ clubhouse. Edman’s clutch hit in a critical moment was a testament to his preparedness, his ability to stay calm under pressure, and the sheer value of having depth on a roster.
Edman’s performance was not just about the impact of his bat. It was about timing. With the game tied late and the Dodgers struggling to break through offensively, Edman found himself at the plate with the game on the line. He took a pitch in the bottom of the 8th inning that broke the deadlock — a hit that scored the winning run, sending the Dodgers to victory. It was a moment that typifies what playoff teams need: players who can step up when the stars aren’t delivering.
The Dodgers have long prided themselves on having a deep roster, but Edman’s emergence highlights how important having role players who can deliver in critical moments really is. In a season that’s had its fair share of challenges, players like Edman help keep the team grounded. They provide depth and resilience, which can be just as important as the superstar performances the Dodgers are accustomed to.
While Edman’s clutch performance was a beacon of hope, the elephant in the room remains the Dodgers’ bullpen struggles. Bullpen games have become an increasing necessity for many teams in today’s MLB landscape, but they also carry with them a level of unpredictability. For the Dodgers, this unpredictability has often turned into a liability.
At the heart of the bullpen issues is a combination of factors. Injuries, fatigue, and a lack of consistency have haunted the Dodgers’ pitching staff throughout the year. As the season wears on, the Dodgers have been forced to rely on their bullpen more and more, stretching pitchers thin in high-leverage situations. This can lead to disastrous results when pitchers aren’t sharp or when key arms get overexposed in crucial games.
One of the most glaring weaknesses in the Dodgers’ bullpen has been their inability to close games efficiently. While the team has a strong set of relievers, including flamethrowers like Brusdar Graterol and closer Evan Phillips, the margin for error in late innings becomes razor-thin when pitchers are overworked. A key reliever can have a bad outing, or the wrong matchups can lead to a loss. In a postseason scenario, where every game counts, bullpen games could be a high-risk, high-reward situation.
This is a reality that the Dodgers are increasingly facing as they look toward October baseball. The back end of the rotation has been unreliable at times, and when starters aren’t able to go deep into games, the bullpen is often left to shoulder the load.
The concept of a bullpen game is simple on paper: instead of a single starter going through the order multiple times, a series of relief pitchers take the mound to handle the innings. The advantage of such a strategy lies in its flexibility — teams can mix and match pitchers with different skill sets to handle various parts of the opponent’s lineup. It also allows teams to limit the exposure of their weaker pitchers, though it requires a highly efficient bullpen and sharp management to execute.
The difficulty, however, arises when a bullpen game goes wrong. If one or two pitchers falter, it can quickly snowball. Without a clear ace to lean on in such games, the Dodgers could face a real dilemma come postseason time. Having a reliable bullpen is a key component of any team’s playoff strategy, and right now, the Dodgers’ bullpen lacks the kind of consistency that could make them confident in using this strategy in a best-of-seven series.
While the bullpen has its flaws, it’s not as if the Dodgers are completely without options. They have the tools to make bullpen games work. The issue lies in managing those tools correctly. Often, the Dodgers’ bullpen pieces are talented, but the lack of clear roles and consistent outings has hindered their effectiveness. For example, Graterol is one of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the league, but he’s often used in different roles, which can prevent him from settling into a rhythm. This lack of stability has hurt the overall performance of the bullpen.
Given the bullpen’s instability, the question becomes: are the Dodgers prepared for a bullpen game, especially in high-pressure situations like the postseason? The answer may depend on a few key factors: how their pitchers perform in the coming weeks, how manager Dave Roberts manages the bullpen, and whether any key players return from injury.
While the team has some reliable arms, a bullpen game requires perfect execution. There’s little room for error, and in high-stress moments, every pitch matters. The Dodgers have been fortunate enough to win games despite bullpen struggles, but this won’t be sustainable in the playoffs. In a series against teams like the Atlanta Braves or the Houston Astros, where pitching depth and reliability are crucial, the Dodgers’ bullpen vulnerabilities will be exposed if they aren’t addressed soon.
A big part of this will be how well Roberts can navigate the bullpen in the final stretch of the season. The Dodgers need to keep their pitchers sharp while managing their workloads. With some key pitchers set to return from injury, there’s potential for the bullpen to stabilize, but it’s a delicate balance. Roberts’ ability to maintain that balance will be critical. If the Dodgers are forced into bullpen games in October, it could be a defining factor in their postseason run.
As the Dodgers continue their push for the playoffs, they will need to find answers to their bullpen problems. Whether through trade acquisitions, improved performances from their current roster, or a combination of both, they can’t afford to head into the postseason with the bullpen issues they’ve shown so far.
Moreover, Tommy Edman’s clutch hit is a reminder that even when the bullpen falters, the offense and other players on the roster have the potential to step up. But the Dodgers will need more than timely hits to secure a deep playoff run — they will need a bullpen that can hold its own in crucial moments.
The Dodgers’ future hinges on several factors: the health of their pitchers, the consistency of their bullpen, and the performances of key players like Edman, Betts, and Freeman. If their bullpen can rise to the occasion, the Dodgers could be in for another postseason run. If not, their hopes for another World Series title may be dashed early.This article can be expanded further by diving deeper into player statistics, specific bullpen performances, and potential trade targets, depending on the direction you’d like to take it.
