Dodgers Enter Playoffs With MLB's Best Pitching Staff, Bullpen Challenges Persist

The Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to clinch the NL West with a dominant starting rotation led by pitchers like Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, which has been ranked the best among MLB playoff contenders. Their rotation boasts an MLB-best 3.27 ERA this season and has improved even further in September, positioning them well for postseason success. However, the bullpen remains a significant weakness, evidenced by a franchise-record 96 meltdowns and 26 blown saves that have hindered their regular-season standing and created uncertainty about their ability to handle playoff pressure. Despite these struggles, rookie reliever Jack Dreyer has emerged as a bright spot, providing reliable innings and maintaining a strong ERA throughout the season. Manager Dave Roberts continues to experiment with bullpen options to stabilize late-game performance, but veteran relievers have often faltered. The Dodgers' postseason hopes hinge on their elite starting pitching maintaining dominance while improvements in the bullpen are crucial for a deep playoff run.