Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Addresses Caleb Ferguson and Future in Bullpen
One of the biggest issues for the Dodgers this season has been their uncharacteristic struggles with their pitching staff. Things haven’t been as simple as they normally are, and it has caused issues throughout the year.
Both the starting rotation and bullpen have seen their share of issues, with both showing much better performances of late. However, there are times when the problems rear their ugly heads once again.
We saw it happen in the team’s opening game loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night. LA blew a 3-0 lead, which was capped off with a five-run seventh inning for Cleveland.
Manager Dave Roberts turned to left-hander Caleb Ferguson when the team needed it, and the veteran wasn’t able to provide. Ferguson has seen better days lately but is still very prone to innings like he had on Tuesday.
It has caused Roberts to evaluate this bullpen and who he can trust with the game on the line.
“I think that’s fair,” Roberts said after the game. “You’re always evaluating. And as we finish out the season, get into the postseason, you’ve got to have that trust with guys – and not just because they’re supposed to get a guy out. You’ve got to see a track record of consistent success. That goes for all the guys. So until we get to that point, we’re going to keep running them out there and put the onus on them to do their jobs and be successful in the lanes that they’re given.”
As the team makes its way toward the postseason, they will need to make sure they are putting the right guys out there. Luckily for them, they have a big enough lead in the NL West division where they can tinker around with things to figure out what works best for them.
Ferguson gives them a nice option from the left side, but he knows he needs to be better. His role with the team going forward depends on it.
“I went back and looked at it,” Ferguson said. “I made a good pitch to the first guy, the lefty there (Kwan) then made a bad pitch to Calhoun. Things happen. I don’t know. Make better pitches. That’s what it comes down to.”
But their issues in the bullpen are cause for concern going forward. They will need things to fully round into shape come playoff time otherwise it will be yet another early exit for LA.
