The Los Angeles Dodgers will not enter the National League Division Series with a designated closer. Manager Dave Roberts has instead identified four relievers he trusts to handle the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Roberts named Tanner Scott, Evan Phillips, Roki Sasaki and Edwin Díaz as pitchers he would feel comfortable using to close a game. Scott appears to be the top option, but Roberts does not want that to prevent him from using the left-hander earlier.
The approach gives Roberts flexibility as the Dodgers begin their pursuit of a third consecutive World Series title. Los Angeles finished 100-62 and earned the No. 2 seed in the National League, while Atlanta went 94-68 before defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card Series.
Scott has the strongest statistical case among the group after finishing the regular season with a 2.69 ERA, 82 strikeouts and 25 saves across 63 2/3 innings. Baseball-Reference and StatMuse both list him with a 0.99 WHIP, while MLB.com confirms his 25 saves.
Phillips finished with a 3.46 ERA, 33 strikeouts and one save in 26 innings. Sasaki, meanwhile, returned from a blister on his right middle finger in September and moved back into a bullpen role after spending most of the season as a starter.
Díaz enters October after a difficult first season in Los Angeles. He dealt with right elbow surgery and a later stint on the injured list for neck inflammation, and finished the regular season with an 8.68 ERA, seven saves and 28 strikeouts in 21 appearances.
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The Dodgers also lost Blake Treinen to a right shoulder injury late in the regular season. His absence removes another veteran option, but Roberts now has four relievers he believes can handle the highest-leverage inning.
Los Angeles opens the NLDS against Atlanta on Saturday at Dodger Stadium. With Tarik Skubal scheduled to start Game 1, Roberts will have to decide how aggressively to deploy Scott, Díaz, Sasaki and Phillips once the game reaches the late innings.
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