The final stretch of the 2025 season has been turbulent for the Los Angeles Dodgers, especially in their bullpen. The main focus of criticism has been Tanner Scott, the left-handed reliever who arrived as a star reinforcement but has had a disappointing performance
With an ERA of 4.91 and 10 blown saves, many are wondering why manager Dave Roberts continues to trust him as the closer.
A crisis with no clear alternatives
The answer seems to lie in the lack of reliable options. Veterans Blake Treinen and Kirby Yates are also going through a rough patch, with ERAs over 5.00 and multiple recent losses. Roberts finds himself in a critical situation, with no solid arms in the bullpen and the playoffs just around the corner. Betting on Scott could be a calculated risk, but also a necessity.
Roberts’ message: “You can’t pitch with fear”
After the last loss to the Diamondbacks, Roberts publicly expressed his frustration: “You can’t pitch scared. We’ve got to get our pitchers out of that mindset.” The manager made it clear that the problem is not only technical, but also psychological. The lack of aggressiveness and confidence on the mound is affecting the collective performance of the bullpen.
A heavy contract
Tanner Scott was signed by the Dodgers to a four-year, $72 million contract, making him one of the team’s biggest investments for this season. This figure could be influencing the decision to keep him active, hoping that he will regain his form before the postseason.
Trust or resignation?
Dave Roberts’ insistence on using Tanner Scott as a closer reflects a mixture of confidence, need and pressure. With few alternatives and time running out, the Dodgers are betting that their bullpen can react in time. If Scott can steady himself, he could be key in the postseason. If not, the World Series dream could fade before it begins.
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