Mattingly trying to manage the bullpen and save his job

Here we go again… the thoughts in the minds of many Los Angeles fans as they slowly watch the Dodgers play out their season, referring to the lackluster year the Lakers just produced. The Lakers and Dodgers, who are LA’s two premier sports franchises, were poised to have amazing seasons and so far neither have lived up to expectations. While the Lakers season is already over, the Dodgers still have a fighting chance to do something with all the salaries they are paying. Having a $217 million payroll would make you think the team would be a contender, but for the Dodgers it equals a last place spot in their division.

Dodger fans have seen a league-leading 13 blown saves this season. by Erik Becker

The season started out with the Dodgers beating the arch-rival Giants on an amazing performance by Clayton Kershaw. But since the fatal brawl in San Diego on April 11th the Dodgers have gone 21-33, sinking into the bottom of the division. Outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have underpreformed. Carl Crawford has been a good addition for the Dodgers when he is actually in the lineup. The same with shortstop Hanley Ramirez. The only consistent players for the Dodgers this season has been Adrian Gonzalez and Kershaw who has a tough-luck 5-4 record given his 1.88 ERA.

The struggles continue for the Dodgers, who have used the disabled list at least 17 times so far this year. Yasiel Puig, a Cuban rookie sensation, has done his part since joining the club, which is 5-4 since his recall. As bad as the Dodgers have played with the hitters struggling and all the injuries, the team could have avoided this if not for all the blown saves by the bullpen. The bullpen has blown 13 saves — tied for the most in baseball — and they just can’t seem to stop the bleeding. Closer Brandon League has been disappointing, especially since he just signed a new three year contract at $ 7 million per year. Manager Don Mattingly has taken much of the scrutiny because of the teams performance and just recently after yet another blown save by League has decided it was time to finally name Kenley Jansen the closer. It is a smart move for a man trying to keep his job, after all, but if Jansen can’t help the Dodgers bullpen woes then nobody can.

Mattingly should have made this move long ago but kept his faith in the more veteran League for far too long. While Jansen hasn’t been dominant this season either, anything is better than League at this point. The bullpen woes are so bad, that Dodger fans must be wondering what 37-yearold Eric Gagne is up to. Luckily for the Dodgers the baseball season is a long one. The team still has some time to figure it all out, but the window of opportunity is closing as we head into mid-June. As Vin Scully would say “It’s time for Dodger baseball”, and its time for them to finally go out and play like they mean it. The Dodgers much like the 2013 Lakers, are a complete mess but they can only go up from here….right?