The Los Angeles Dodgers experienced a late-game revival before ultimately falling to the New York Mets 4-3 in a tense extra-innings matchup. Tanner Scott, who has struggled since joining the Dodgers on a substantial four-year, $72 million deal, yielded two crucial runs in the 10th inning, further extending his challenges on the mound. With a 4.72 ERA in his first 28 appearances, Scott’s recent seven outings have been particularly rough, logging 10 earned runs over just six innings.
Scott attributed his struggles to inconsistent locations, a recurring theme impacting not just his performance but the team’s late-game outcomes. “I’m just not hitting my locations,” Scott commented, highlighting the direct consequences of his pitching.
The Dodgers find themselves in a precarious position, as injuries have significantly depleted their bullpen options. Evan Phillips is set for season-ending Tommy John surgery, and four other high-leverage relievers, including Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen, are currently on the injured list. This leaves the team reliant on Scott, despite his recent difficulties. Both Ben Casparius and Jack Dreyer, two rookies, have provided valuable innings but the responsibility ultimately lands heavier on more experienced arms like Scott and Alex Vesia.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed the need for improvement from his seasoned pitchers, particularly Scott, who had previously demonstrated the ability to perform at an elite level in 2023 with the Miami Marlins, boasting a fantastic 2.31 ERA and an impressive postseason showing against the Dodgers while with the San Diego Padres.
In this current season, however, Scott’s effectiveness has sharply declined. Notably, hitters are enjoying more success against his four-seam fastball, which has dropped from a .179 slugging percentage last year to .581 this season. Scott lamented, “It’s getting hit a lot. It sucks right now.”
Despite the challenges, there remains hope for the Dodgers. With their formidable offensive capabilities, they can bounce back in upcoming innings, and a return to form for Scott could still play a pivotal part in the team’s success. The Dodgers are slated to continue their series against the Mets, and a focused effort to improve execution on the mound could turn the tide in their favor.