LOS ANGELES -- The saying goes that pitching wins championships, and that was true in different ways when the Dodgers won back-to-back World Series in 2024 and '25.
The 2024 Dodgers had to lean heavily on their bullpen out of necessity, while the '25 team rode its rotation to a successful title defense -- so much so that all four starting pitchers took the ball in the winner-take-all Game 7.
As the Dodgers go for a three-peat this year, they'll once again look for their starting four of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow to set the tone. But their bullpen feels less volatile than it was last year, and it could be one of the most fluid position groups as L.A. considers how to piece together its postseason rosters.
One way or another, the Dodgers will carry their best 13 pitchers in the postseason, because as manager Dave Roberts has said repeatedly, like a mantra: "Every inning in the postseason is leverage."
The Dodgers got a look at several postseason 'pen candidates when they ran a bullpen game to success on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, capping a three-game sweep of the Giants with a 3-1 victory. Right-hander Emmet Sheehan struck out nine in 5 1/3 scoreless innings of bulk relief, giving L.A. an intriguing option to add to the mix.
Trade Deadline acquisition Kris Bubic also furthered his case with a third scoreless outing in as many appearances as a Dodger.
The Dodgers' fourth straight victory maintained their four-game lead over the Braves for the second-best record in the National League -- and a first-round postseason bye -- with six games left to play.
The greatest need in the bullpen is right-handed leverage arms. Edwin Díaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal to be their closer, has been relegated to lower leverage for the time being amid his poor performance in an injury-ravaged season. Edgardo Henriquez, who stepped up to become L.A.'s most reliable righty in leverage, is out for the rest of the regular season due to a lower back strain. He could return during the postseason, but the uncertainty still creates a need.
Evan Phillips and Brock Stewart have been solid options, but they have been more valuable as part of the bridge to the ninth inning, rather than to close out games. In order to find such options from the right-hand side, the Dodgers can turn to the strength of their staff: the rotation.
Sheehan is one candidate, although he'll remain stretched out through the end of the regular season as rotation depth. Another is Roki Sasaki, who was also originally going to remain built up as a starter upon his return from the 15-day IL. Instead, Roberts said, Sasaki will likely be activated Tuesday and be available out of the bullpen, beginning his transition to relief in the final days of the regular season.
"He's done it. He's really good. He's a neutral pitcher, high-octane stuff," Roberts said. "You really just need four starters, you know. So we're in a good spot there for now."
Sheehan and Sasaki both got a crash course in short-burst relief last fall. While Sasaki thrived as the Dodgers' postseason closer, Sheehan was scored on in his first four appearances before rebounding for scoreless outings in Games 3 and 7 of the World Series.
For Sheehan, adapting his typical routine to relief was difficult, but he believes that he can build on last year if he gets the call to the 'pen again.
"Having that experience helps a lot," Sheehan said. "Just getting back into that, I know what I need to do to get ready to go into the game."
And don't count out Díaz. His pitch to earn a spot in the postseason 'pen began with two scoreless innings against the Giants this weekend.
When the postseason comes, the Dodgers may not be able to avoid using Díaz in leverage, even if they don't throw him into a comparable situation in the final days of the regular season. But if he shows enough this week, then L.A. will bet on his track record.
"I gotta show them I’m part of that bullpen," Díaz said. "I haven’t pitched [much] this year, and when I’ve been on the mound I’ve been struggling. So right now, I’m giving my 200% just to show them I will be in that roster spot."