About 3 months ago I went to a Dodger game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers blew the lead and eventually lost the game in extra innings. It was probably the saddest Dodger game I have ever been to, and the Dodgers were in last place in the division with no hope.
However just 3 months later, the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks went to extra innings again at Dodger Stadium and everything was completely different. Myself and a majority of Dodger fans felt confident they would win the game the entire time despite not showing many clutch signs in the game. Puig, Crawford, Uribe, and AJ Ellis all had very poor games, yet they still won. Every night in the past few months there has been a different Dodger hero, which makes for a true championship contender.
Scott Van Slyke was the obvious hero tonight, with a big walk-off home run, but there were definitely others as well. Adrian Gonzalez had half of the teams hits and the Dodgers would not have scored enough runs to make it to extra innings if were not for his offense. Also, the bullpen had another great outing, pitching 5 scoreless innings overall. The 5 relievers used are the for sure favorites to make the postseason roster.
Belisario-has been shaky at times, but more often has been dominant and will definitely make the postseason bullpen as a 7th/8th inning setup man.
Paco Rodriguez-Most impressive reliever on the team considering no one expected that much from him and he has become the main setup man and a guy the Dodgers can bring in to retire a left handed hitter.
JP Howell-In my opinion has been the most consistent reliever all year for the team and is able to pitch to lefties, or come in and pitch a couple of innings. He has been dominant all year.
Chris Withrow-It's hard to believe the Dodgers demoted him a few weeks ago for Edinson Volquez, but he is back and has had a great year. After tonight he has definitely earned himself a playoff roster spot and is a guy who Mattingly can be confident in tough situations.
Jansen-One of the best closers and dominant pitchers in the game. He has had a great year and will continue to be the team's primary closer in the playoffs.
With the other 2 likely reliever spots on the postseason roster, I believe they should go to......
Brian Wilson-He has been impressive since returning to the major leagues. As a former all star closer and consistent pitcher, he could help out immensely in situations the Dodgers need some outs.
Whoever pitches the best the rest of the season-Whether it be Carlos Marmol, Brandon League, even Chris Capuano as a long reliever since the team won't need a fifth starter in the postseason. Also Stephen Fife deserves a chance as a long reliever too. (and maybe Volquez, but probably not) Whichever one of these pitchers impresses the most over the last few weeks of the season deserves that final spot on the postseason roster. As good as Kershaw, Greinke, Nolasco, and Ryu have been this year, they will definitely need some help from the bullpen this postseason if the Dodgers have World Series aspirations. While clutch hits like Van Slyke's home run tonight help win ball games, it's good pitching that wins championships.
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