Jansen no longer lights out
Dodgers closer has exhibited struggles
ARLINGTON, Texas — In a season that’s gone exceedingly well for the Dodgers, a late problem that popped up is causing a lot of concern: Can they still count on Kenley Jansen as their closer?
That has become an uncomfortable question for manager Dave Roberts and the Dodgers as they prepare for another NL Championship Series. Especially with something seemingly not right with the reliever who for so long was the obvious answer when it came to finishing playoff games.
“I’m very sensitive to what he has accomplished on the baseball field, as a closer and as a perennial All-Star, but we also have to look in real time, and do what’s best for the Dodgers,” said Roberts, though the manager hasn’t been ready tomake a definitive declaration about Jansen’s role.
The best-of-seven NLCS against the Braves starts Monday night in the Rangers’ new $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof. That is where the Dodgers, whose last World Series title was in 1988, swept the Padres in three games in the NLDS and is the neutral site of this year’s World Series.
Jansen’s velocity has been noticeably down, and inconsistent, for much of the past month. The big right-hander hasn’t had the same control that is so important in crucial situations.
In Game 2 of the NL Division Series on Wednesday night, Jensen needed 30 pitches to get two outs and gave up two runs without being able to finish the game. Joe Kelly then walked two batters to load the bases before getting the final out of a 6-5 victory.
After averaging 93-94 mph earlier this season, the 33-year-old Jansen rarely got above 90mph on those 30 pitches. While there were 11 pitches of at least 90 mph, only three of them above 92 mph.
“With Kenley, I think that regardless of velocity, when he’s executing, making quality pitches, he’s as good as anybody,” Roberts said. “But then when you start not executing and missing to the big part of the plate, then it’s not as good. That’s something we’re constantly trying to figure out.”
Jansen got the last two outs in a 5-1 in Game 1 against the Padres. But that was a non-save situation like five of his last six appearances in the regular season, though he did get a save when getting the Dodgers out of a bases-loaded jam in the wild-card round against the Brewers.
While Jansen hasn’t been made available recently to talk to reporters, catch partner and locker mate Kelly said Jansen is handling the situation well.
“Obviously he doesn’t like underperforming, but he’s a mentally tough guy,” Kelly said. “He’s good a teammate, and he’s taking it like a man, and he knows he hasn’t thrown his best, but whenever we need him, he’s going to right there for us.”