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.
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.