UPDATE: The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of elimination from the 2025 World Series after suffering a devastating 6-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 5 on Wednesday night. With this defeat, the Dodgers now trail the series three games to two, raising urgent questions about their bullpen’s effectiveness and overall strategy.
In a critical moment during the seventh inning, manager Dave Roberts faced a nightmarish decision. He opted to bring in rookie Edgardo Henriquez to pitch to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with two outs and runners on the corners. Henriquez’s performance faltered as he walked Guerrero on a high 99.9-mph fastball, allowing the third run to score. What could have been a manageable deficit quickly escalated, leaving the Dodgers scrambling for answers.
Roberts acknowledged the tough position he was in, stating, “It’s hard because you can only push a starter so much. I thought Blake emptied the tank.” With starting pitcher Blake Snell already at 116 pitches and having faced Guerrero multiple times, Roberts had limited options. The team’s other reliable reliever, Roki Sasaki, was also unavailable for a non-elimination game, forcing Roberts to rely on an untested rookie.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has been under scrutiny throughout the postseason, and their weaknesses were glaringly evident in this series. In each of the three losses, the bullpen struggled to contain inherited runners, spiraling out of control whenever a starting pitcher was replaced. “You look at the three games that we lost, it spiraled on us with guys on base,” Roberts lamented. “Guys got to be better.” Unfortunately, the reality is that they haven’t been.
With only two games left in the series, the Dodgers are now forced to reconsider their pitching strategy. There are discussions about using Shohei Ohtani as an opener on three days’ rest for a potential Game 7, while Snell may also be called upon in a middle relief role. The urgency is palpable as the Dodgers aim to reverse their series deficit against a formidable Blue Jays team.
The construction of this bullpen has become one of the most significant blunders in Dodgers history. The organization invested a staggering $85 million in relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, neither of whom are even on the postseason roster. Injuries have further crippled the team, with Brusdar Graterol sidelined for the entire season and Evan Phillips recovering from Tommy John surgery.
As the Dodgers stare down the possibility of missing out on a championship season—despite having superstars like Ohtani and Freddie Freeman—the pressure is mounting. The front office’s failure to address the bullpen needs before the trade deadline has left the team vulnerable at a critical time. The only reliever acquired was Brock Stewart, who has also been injured and unable to contribute.
As the series continues, the Dodgers must find a way to salvage their postseason hopes. Fans and analysts alike are left wondering how a team with such talent could find itself one loss away from elimination. The stakes have never been higher, and the Dodgers need to turn their fortunes around quickly to keep their championship aspirations alive.
With Game 6 looming, all eyes will be on Roberts and his decisions regarding the pitching lineup. Can they overcome their bullpen woes and push the series to a decisive Game 7? The clock is ticking, and the urgency could not be greater.
