The Los Angeles Dodgers began this season with the hope of achieving consecutive championships, a feat reminiscent of the Yankees’ past accomplishments. However, the performance of their bullpen—a former pillar of strength—has raised concerns, with reliever Tanner Scott notably at the center of these. Despite his high-profile four-year, $72 million contract, Scott’s performance has been inconsistent, reflected in his 4.64 ERA over 54.1 innings and nine blown saves, surpassing the combined total of his previous two seasons.
Scott’s struggles intensified after returning from the injured list, enduring a series of outings marred by a painful sequence of a blown save and crucial home runs surrendered to opponents. These challenges have understandably frustrated Dodgers fans, as evidenced by the boos during his recent appearances at Dodger Stadium. Acknowledging his disappointing performances, Scott remarked, “I haven’t performed to my standard and the team’s standard.”
Faced with mounting pressure, both internally and externally, Scott has chosen to revert to a more relaxed, carefree pitching mindset, one that previously granted him success. “I kind of just have the (to heck with it) attitude right now,” Scott stated, hoping this mental shift will help him regain his form during a crucial phase of the season.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has collectively struggled, especially under the looming threat of the Philadelphia Phillies, who have demonstrated remarkable prowess in late-inning scenarios. Highlighting the danger they pose, NBC Sports’ John Clark noted their leading tally of 278 runs scored from the seventh inning or later.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remains cautiously optimistic, retaining Scott in his role, acknowledging the necessity of success for postseason aspirations. Roberts mentioned, “The last two have been good. The stuff has been better. The slider has been better. Hopefully, we found something… he’s one of our guys.” Scott’s recent perfect outings provide a glimmer of hope, suggesting that he might return to form at a time when the Dodgers need him most.
With October approaching, Scott’s resurgence could prove vital for the Dodgers’ bid to defend their World Series title against formidable opponents like the Phillies. If he can maintain his recent improvements, Scott may indeed become a crucial component in a bullpen striving to overcome its challenges and aid the Dodgers in achieving their championship ambitions.