The Dodgers are in the weeds this August. They haven’t found that 2018 magic yet. A large reason for LA’s inconsistencies this season is the fact that they are working with two very different pitching staffs. Dodgers relief pitchers have a 6.63 ERA, second worst in the NL, in August. Starters have a 2.68 ERA this month, but most of their efforts have been quickly dashed once the bullpen takes over. With Kenley Jansen’s absence looming large, the Dodgers look for literal relief by shifting two of their starters into the bullpen.
Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling, and at some point Julio Urias will be available to pitch out of the bullpen.