Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Breaks Down Caleb Ferguson Struggles, ‘There Was Just No Command’

Not the best sign before the playoffs.

After the Dodgers clinched the NL West for the 10th time in 11 years, the final weeks of the regular season looked like a simple tune-up across the roster. 

Reliever Caleb Ferguson struggled in these final games and prompted his manager Dave Roberts to comment on his poor recent showing at Coors Field. 

“With Fergy, there was just no command,” Roberts said. “I think there was just a lot of bad misses then when he put the ball in the strike zone, it was finding outfield grass. It just overall wasn’t good command. These last two for Fergy, just want to put them behind him. He’ll probably have one more outing on Saturday or Sunday and finish strong.”

via Bill Plunkett, OC Register

Ferguson opened the first game of the Dodgers' penultimate series on Tuesday afternoon but failed to register a clean first inning. 

Ryan Pepiot came in for an earlier start to his bulk work than he expected after Ferguson gave up three runs before he could get two outs against Colorado. 

Though the rookie impressed through his six-plus innings of bulk work, Ferguson's three runs loomed large in LA's series-opening loss by a score of 4-1. 

One of just two lefties in the Dodgers' bullpen, Ferguson struggled once more in the series finale against the Rockies. 

The 27-year-old once again couldn't get three outs cleanly and joined Ryan Yarbrough as culprits for the series split with the cellar dwellers in the NL West. 

It wasn't the rebound performance Ferguson wanted as he gave up another four runs on Thursday night that blew the game wide open for one of 2023's worst teams in baseball. 

Coors Fields' elevation also couldn't have aided Ferguson's poor showing, but Roberts' knows his lefty will be needed for another run at World Series glory.