In front, with no relief in sight

Dodgers have the talent to get to the World Series and, finally, win it all. But that will never happen unless they do something to significantly improve their miserable bullpen. You can occasionally throw away a lead and lose a game during the regular season, but it can’t happen in October. The clock is ticking.

Ralph S. Brax Lancaster

After watching Kenley Jansen choke away Tuesday’s game against the Phillies, it’s more clear than ever the Dodgers will not win a World Series this year. Again the front office sat on their hands rolling out mediocre relievers all year. Guess they didn’t pay attention the past two years.

Steve Owen Kelseyville, Calif.

It’s painfully clear that Dave Roberts is not solely at fault for mismanaging the pitching staff when his bullpen options include Caleb Ferguson and Dylan Floro. When is the front office going to make a deal to rid the Dodgers of these gas cans and bring in some pitchers who will not allow leads to evaporate in every appearance?

Brian Gura Redondo Beach

With the recent announcement by the Dodgers that they are informing their season-ticket holders that prices would rise again next season, it will be interesting to see at the trading deadline if president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in trying to find a relief pitcher will resort to his usual pattern of shopping for a bargain at the 99 Cents Only Store, or will with these extra dollars step up to the plate and secure one or two quality relief pitchers.

Myron Kamisher Sherman Oaks

Your article on the Dodgers’ catching situation was too kind to management. They didn’t “miss out” on J.T. Realmuto, they chose to sit on their prospects and now have two serviceable backups instead of an elite receiver.

When a player is hovering around the Mendoza line, as Austin Barnes is once again, I don’t care that Dave Roberts believes his “at-bat quality” — whatever that means — is improving. They once again passed on an All-Star in his prime for future control and saving money by keeping a promising but unproven commodity. If that’s their way of “always going for it,” as Dodgers brass claims, the championship drought is doomed to continue.

Allan Kandel Los Angeles

Many thanks to Major League Baseball and the Dodgers for the Dodgers-Phillies game broadcast on YouTube. What a great experiment and what great fun it provided — if the stream freezing up needing to be reloaded every, say, minute or so is fun for you, that is. We have great cable service here and never had trouble with any broadcast like this. Sending it out via Morse code would’ve been more efficient!

Whose ridiculous idea was this?

Dan Johnson Salem, Va.

Williams out with a whimper

Simona Halep played a great winning championship match at Wimbledon, denying Serena Williams her 24th major. Simona took charge and played like the Wimbledon champion she became that day.

I was disappointed not because Serena lost, but more disappointed by the way she played. Serena, usually a fearless competitor, seemed not mentally ready to play at a winning championship level.

I missed the real Serena; the one who fought for every point, the one who struck fear in the hearts of her opponents, the one whose powerful serve left players helpless. Sadly, I might never see that Serena Williams again.

Donald Peppars Pomona

If my calculations are correct, Simona Halep was paid a whopping $2,516,059 an hour last Saturday for her quick jaunt on the grass to defeat Serena Williams at Wimbledon.

One day later, Novak Djokovic had to settle for less than one-fifth of what Halep earned —a paltry $474,747 hourly wage for his marathon win over Roger Federer.

OK, men. All together now: “EQUAL PAY! EQUAL PAY!” I certainly hope that Ms. King and Ms. Rapinoe will stand with us in our fight.

Axel W. Kyster Bradbury

Horse racing isn’t perfect

The real issue that PETA wants to highlight about recent horse racing fatalities is that no horse deaths are tolerable. That is a perfect world that we don’t live in. No racing equals no deaths but also equals no industry and no jobs.

PETA’s efforts would be better focused on the extremes before attacking Santa Anita, which averaged 2.04 horse deaths per 1,000 starts in 2018. They are Hawthorne 2.99, Lone Star 2.60, Suffolk Downs 2.35, Pimlico 2.33, Remington 2.19 and Portland Meadows 2.30.

I’ll bet that the Santa Anita numbers improve in the coming years.

Jim Benson Altadena

Old stories

In last Saturday’s Day in Sports: Former pitcher Dwight Gooden charged with cocaine possession and Richie Incognito suspended for violating league’s personal conduct policy. When will they ever learn?

Ken Kell Orange

The wild West

“Unimaginable,” Bill Plaschke? Anyone with a fully functional frontal lobe could have imagined the Lakers would be getting Anthony Davis and would then be positioned nicely to win championships again. What is really unimaginable is that you were writing a few weeks ago that the Lakers were in “disarray/chaos” and now suddenly are a “portrait of peace.”

Schizophrenia is no joke, Bill, and there are good medications that can help you in your recovery. But please stay off the bandwagon; winning is hard enough without carrying the extra baggage of a drama queen.

William David Stone Beverly Hills

There is a new sheriff in town, his name is Steve Ballmer. The old sheriff shot herself in the foot.

Jim Olsen Huntington Beach

With apologies to Mr. Feldman in Tarzana, the self-proclaimed 50-year Lakers fan, may I suggest that he look to more relevant inspiration than “Anticipation” from 1971 or “Even the Losers” from 1979 when discussing the Clippers’ prospects this year. After all, his favorite Lakers have been the losers of 329 games in the last six years, or 55 per season. Listen to Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” cheer up, and get out of the Clippers’ way this year!

Kevin Park Mission Hills

I’m really excited about watching this great Lakers team play this season so I’ve signed up for Pelicans games.

Loren Coleman West Hollywood

When the superstar teams play each other, will the offenses resemble an All-Star game or might defense break out? I’ll take the former.

David Marshall Santa Monica

Little ball

So, USC announced last week that it is scheduled to “clash” with UC Davis in the 2021 football season and is looking to add two additional teams in 2022 and 2023. I suggest they contact El Camino and Harbor JCs.

Bill Piercy Long Beach

What a night

From the planned pregame ceremony to the wonder of the game itself and the spontaneous postgame tribute, the Angels’ celebration of fallen teammate Tyler Skaggs’ life was anything but nasty: Sometimes sports really does find a way to pay you back for the huge portion of your heart that you invest in it.

Steve Ross Beverly Hills

The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.

Mail: Sports Viewpoint Los Angeles Times 2300 E. Imperial Hwy. El Segundo, CA 90245 Email: sports@latimes.com