Here’s the pitch: Dodgers’ bullpen has yet to allow a run
Ah, if only life could always be this way for the Dodgers.
Through their first six games, they have used 10 pitchers and only two of them have allowed an earned run. And the bullpen has been perfect.
Six different relievers have made 14 combined appearances through the Dodgers’ first six games and have yet to allow a run.
Indeed, the bullpen has given up only one hit, a questionable infield single credited Sunday to Jose Tabata, even though if Nick Punto had made a good throw he would have been out. Tabata was given a single, and Punto an error that allowed Tabata to take second.
But that’s it. One measly infield hit. Otherwise, as a group they have allowed four walks. So in 13 combined innings, they’ve yet to give up a run and have allowed only five baserunners.
The only reliever yet to make an appearance is Chris Capuano. Everyone else has taken at least one turn and headed to the dugout without allowing a run to cross.
This is better than the Dodgers could have hoped for, but they will happily take it for now. Not that the relievers are in danger of being overused. Every starter has gone at least six innings, enabling Manager Don Mattingly to pick his spots for bullpen use.
“Our starters are going deep into games,” Mattingly said. “But I’m sure we’re going to need the full accompaniment of our bullpen.”
Kenley Jansen, Paco Rodriguez and Brandon League have each made three appearances without giving up a run. The only pitchers charged with any earned runs thus far are starters Josh Beckett (three) and Hyun-Jin Ryu (three).
Otherwise, zeroes dominate the pitching lines. Overall, the staff has a 1.00 ERA, which easily leads the majors. They have allowed runs to be scored in only one of their last 30 innings.
The Dodgers thought they had put together a top staff, but no staff is this good. For now, the Dodgers will ride it out and let each pitcher’s success challenge the next.
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