The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped Game 1 of the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night, falling 11-4 in what turned into a rout. The Dodgers came in as favorites, but they’re dealing with some key absences in their bullpen that are starting to show.
Tanner Scott hasn’t pitched since the Wild Card round, and his status remains uncertain for the rest of the series.
“Regardless, Scott hasn’t shown enough to rush him back to the Fall Classic roster, and the Dodgers might just be better off without him, especially with the emergence of Roki Sasaki to take the ball during high-leverage situations,” SI’s Gabe Smallson wrote. “With his struggles as of late and however long it will take him to ramp up, it appears unlikely fans will see Scott in the World Series.”
But that’s not the only hole in their bullpen. Alex Vesia was left off the World Series roster entirely due to a personal matter, and he’s not on a bereavement list that would allow him to return.
“Alex Vesia is off the World Series roster and not on a bereavement list that would allow him to return between three and seven days, by the way. The Dodgers will try to secure another championship without one of their most trusted relievers,” ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez wrote.
That’s a significant loss. Vesia’s been one of their go-to guys in high-leverage spots all season.
What makes this even more interesting is how confident the Dodgers seemed just a few days ago. After beating the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, manager Dave Roberts dropped a quote that’s aging poorly by the inning.
“Before this season started, they said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball,” Roberts said on the air.
Now that’s some prime bulletin board material right there.
The way things are going, you have to wonder if the Dodgers gave the Blue Jays all the motivation they needed. Toronto’s looking confident, the Dodgers are down key relievers, and Roberts’ words are probably echoing around the Blue Jays clubhouse.
It’s still early, but the Dodgers find themselves in exactly the kind of hole they didn’t want. Missing two key bullpen arms in a World Series is tough enough without handing your opponent extra motivation.
The Blue Jays seem to be enjoying every minute of it.
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