Dodgers Set to Activate Pair of High-Leverage Relievers

Tanner Scott was a highly coveted acquisition in the off-season with an Earned Run Average hovering around two. The Dodgers paid top dollar for him. This was out of character for President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman. Scott does have 19 saves which is tops on the relief core. However, this season, he has a ERA over four and has given up eight home runs in 45 and 2/3 innings.

Finding the Key

The Dodgers did a little film study on Scott’s mechanics and lack of location, and seemed to fix whatever was lacking. It lasted all of two weeks before he began to struggle again. It is unclear whether the elbow which placed him on the Injured List was the culprit. For what it’s worth, Scott had a couple of clean innings during his rehab assignment.

Unable to Stay Healthy

Kirby Yates had a career year last season. He was a highly effective reliever with a 1.17 ERA. This year has been a different story, with an ERA nearly four runs worse.  This includes six home runs and 12 walks.He has been sidelined twice this year. A strained hamstring and a bad back have severely limited any positive momentum for the 38-year-old. He had a couple clean innings in a rehab assignment as well. The veteran reliever said he’s feeling better than he has all season.

The Crux of the Matter

Los Angeles knows it’s one thing to be healthy, and quite another to be effective, The Dodgers are going to need the two pitchers to be both if they want to win October.