The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently facing a pivotal moment in their season, particularly with the performance of their new closer, Tanner Scott. Recently, in what was intended to be a routine save opportunity, Scott made critical mistakes that led to significant consequences, raising alarms among fans and management alike.
Last Friday night in New York, Scott exhibited the same troubling patterns in the ninth inning that had been causing concern. He initially had a three-run lead but ultimately blew the save, leading to a prolonged 13-inning battle against the Mets. This taxing game was one that the Dodgers’ bullpen could hardly afford, especially given the current injury woes affecting their relief staff.
In that fateful inning, Scott repeatedly found himself in favorable counts—two strikes against multiple batters. Unfortunately, he left a series of mistake pitches over the plate, allowing the Mets to capitalize crucially. For example, the fastball that Starling Marte hit was a 1-and-2 pitch that should have been placed better. This oversight led to a leadoff single that set the tone for the inning, culminating in a two-run triple by Jeff McNeil after Scott failed to put him away as well.
This recent outing highlighted Scott’s inconsistent pitching this season. After this game, he’d blown four saves in just 14 opportunities, raising his ERA to 3.42—a stark contrast to expectations for a player who was signed to a lucrative $72-million contract this offseason. Manager Dave Roberts noted that while Scott’s pitches still have quality, the crucial errors are proving to be all too detrimental, remarking, “It just seems like when there is a mistake, they find some outfield grass.”
Dug deeper, it’s evident that Tanner Scott is caught in between two issues. Early in his career, command issues plagued him, but now he seems to be living “in the middle of the zone,” where hitters feel more comfortable attacking. According to pitching coach Mark Prior, a more specific approach is essential. Leaving balls around that area means hitters will capitalize on anything they can reach.
Statistics from this year reinforce these observations: over 58% of Scott’s pitches are landing in the strike zone, a personal high. While being aggressive can be beneficial, it comes at a cost as hitters are making contact 80% of the time, significantly higher than his career average. With almost 92 mph exit velocity on balls put in play against him, Tanner finds himself amid an alarming trend.
To add context, during the start of this season, Scott had managed to convert nine of his first eleven save opportunities while holding an impressive sub-2.00 ERA, indicating he possesses the talent to perform in high-pressure situations. But recent outings have been woefully inconsistent. He faced a rough patch with two games in which he surrendered runs aplenty, including giving up three runs on homers to the Arizona Diamondbacks. After this latest stretch, Scott’s acknowledgment that he is simply not putting hitters away paints a sobering picture.
The Dodgers coaching staff is piecing together a plan to realign Scott’s approach, emphasizing better pitch location and potentially even the need for more strategic walks to garner swings and misses. This adjustment, although simple, is essential given the current state of the Dodgers’ bullpen. Fellow high-leverage relievers like Evan Phillips and Blake Treinen are nursing injuries, meaning that the pressure falls largely on Scott to perform.
Roberts stressed that while Scott has indeed been utilized significantly, he must improve his execution in these situations. With the Dodgers counting on his experience and talent to navigate crucial innings, Scott’s ability to bounce back and minimize the mistakes could redefine this season for the team.
The urgency for Tanner Scott to adapt cannot be understated, especially considering the Dodgers’ ambitions for the postseason. Each blown save not only adds stress to an already overworked bullpen but also creates a ripple effect that tests the depth and resilience of the entire team.
As spring transitions to summer, the Dodgers and Tanner Scott must rediscover the balance necessary for his role as a closer. Whether it’s adjusting pitch location, being more strategic in count situations, or simply regaining confidence, the team looks to Scott to reclaim his status as a stabilizing force in their bullpen.
In conclusion, while the road ahead appears challenging, the Dodgers remain optimistic about Tanner Scott’s potential for redemption. With critical games ahead, fans hope that Scott can embrace these necessary adjustments, allowing him to effectively close out games and cement his position as one of the league’s most reliable relievers. As the team endeavors to support him, all eyes will be focused on how Scott responds to this pivotal juncture in his career.
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