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Look, any way you approach this, it's an uncomfortable topic. For me … for all fans … for the Dodgers … nevertheless, here we are.
On Wednesday night, Kenley Jansen made his 48th appearance of the 2019 campaign. In 48.2 innings pitched, he has a career high 3.70 ERA, and is one blown save shy of tying his career high set of 7 set back in 2012. That season was incidentally his first as the Dodgers primary closer.
The long time dominant force has gone from giving fans that confident, game over feeling, to become the biggest concern for the best ball club in baseball.
Dodgers have their 7th consecutive division title all but locked up – there are some opportunities for the front office to try and assemble the best team they possibly can ahead of the postseason.
And I'm not talking about the experimenting kind of opportunities that we've seen in 2019.
It's a Long Season
I'm sure most would have struggled early in the season
It may be time for Joe Kelly to start getting some looks in the 9th inning.
Yes, baseball is wild – very wild. Kelly, the guy who had an ERA over 8 by the end of May – the guy who social media were begging the front office to DFA – is now a guy who instills confidence in the fanbase as he enters a ball game. As he recorded his 9th consecutive scoreless appearance on Wednesday, and Kenley blew his second consecutive save opportunity (he had 3 scoreless, no-save outings in between), you can feel like a role reversal might be in order.
I show my work on Twitter:
Since June 1st …
Joe Kelly has an ERA of 1.48 (24.1 IP, 36 Ks & 9 BB).
Kenley Jansen's ERA is 4.13 (24 IP, 28 Ks & 6 BBs).Kelly 1 HR, Jansen 4 HR.
I think we've got a point where it's only going to get JK some opportunities in the 9th. Let KJ gain confidence again.
– Clint Pasillas (FRG) (@realFRG) August 22, 2019
So that's where this is going, that statement above, "I think we've got a point where it's only about giving Joe Kelly some opportunities in the 9th and let Kenley Jansen gain confidence again.
It's a long way to the top …
Kelly's recent dominance did not come without hard work, more importantly, time to get right. For the better part of a couple of months, Kelly is in the middle of low leverage situations as he worked on his mechanics and confidence.
On the evening of August 21st, the franchise leader in the field of Dodger Stadium.
Kenley Jansen yelled into his glove while the final out was being recorded. He returned to the dugout to a noticeable chorus of boos.
– Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) August 22, 2019
On the morning of August 22, I can not assume that Kenley Jansen's confidence is near to all time low.
#Dodgers Kenley Jansen did not go to the media
– Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) August 22, 2019
You do not feel like you're going to have a job in your career, but it's not going to be your best. Moreover, it also feels a little more like a Joe Kelly than the other.
This move, however, would be more about Jansen regaining the confidence in his stuff than Kelly earning closing time.
In a little more than 34 days, the Dodgers will be preparing to embark on their world premiere to Los Angeles. The club's best luck at securing that title with Kenley Jansen on the mound in the 9th inning of the deciding ballgame in October. But to get there, not only do the Dodgers have a lot of work to do, Kenley has a lot of work to do. And he deserves the opportunity to put in the work in the right environment.
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