Dodgers Starting Pitchers Continue to Excel While the Bullpen is Blowing Games
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Pitching on September 6th, 2025 at Camden Yards (Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)
One out away from a no-hitter. It happens so often. Then the no-hitter was blown. On September 6, 2025, I attended the Dodgers vs. Orioles game. It was the 30th anniversary of when Cal Ripken Jr. broke the consecutive games played streak, passing Lou Gehrig. Ripken Jr., along with many Hall of Famers, was in attendance at the game. That was supposed to be the main storyline, but for the first eight and ⅔ innings, it was not. The storyline was Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The Dodgers’ 27-year-old right-handed pitcher had not allowed a single hit and only two walks. He had struck out 10 Orioles batters. He looked electric, in what could have been the best start of his Major League Career–then it was shattered. What some people might never get to see in their lives, a no-hitter didn’t happen. Jackson Holliday, son of former MLB All-Star Matt Holliday, hit a home run that had just made it over the wall. Yamamoto was taken out of the game by Dodgers’ Manager Dave Roberts, with the lead in their favor, 3-1. Yamamoto got a standing ovation from everyone.
Then the bullpen struggled. The Dodgers brought in Blake Treinen. He struggled massively, couldn’t get the one out needed to finish the game. He allowed two runs while still in the game, while still responsible for a runner on base. All that was required was one measly out; it couldn’t get done. In comes Tanner Scott, and he gives a hit that would be a walk-off hit.
Since then, the Dodgers have continued to experience success with their starting pitching, but their bullpen has let them down. It is pathetic. I am a lifelong Dodgers fan, and over the past 13 or so seasons, I have witnessed numerous struggles in the bullpen, yet they have still managed to secure two World Series championships.
The Dodgers need to get their act together because the bullpen is struggling. When the postseason comes, the Dodgers will have to use some of their starting pitching arms, including Ohtani, out of the bullpen because of their struggles.
The thing is, for Ohtani to stay in the game to hit and then come out of the bullpen, he needs to start in the outfield and play there.
The Dodgers’ magic number is three to win the NL West with five games to go; however, with how good the Padres are playing, and the struggles of the Dodgers’ bullpen as of late, the Dodgers don’t deserve to win the NL West. Still, by some miracle, if they do, I’ll be thrilled–but not super confident in their chances in October.
