Dodgers' 'nine man guessing game' dilemma could hand the Blue Jays the World Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced one major problem for most of the year: the bullpen. At one point during the regular season, the bullpen was the Dodgers’ worst nightmare. That’s also why Roki Sasaki was moved to the bullpen on such short notice. For the World Series, the Dodgers are without one of their top bullpen arms, Alex Vesia.
“Alex Vesia is off the World Series roster and not on a bereavement list that would allow him to return between three and seven days, by the way. The Dodgers will try to secure another championship without one of their most trusted relievers,” ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez wrote.
Not only will the Dodgers be without Vesia, but they will also be missing their top offseason addition, Tanner Scott. Scott was unable to make the World Series roster after coming back from a minor procedure.
“Regardless, Scott hasn't shown enough to rush him back to the Fall Classic roster, and the Dodgers might just be better off without him, especially with the emergence of Roki Sasaki to take the ball during high-leverage situations,” SI’s Gabe Smallson wrote. “With his struggles as of late and however long it will take him to ramp up, it appears unlikely fans will see Scott in the World Series.”
With all of this going on, MLB insider Jon Heyman believes the Toronto Blue Jays have an advantage.
“The LA pen was filled with big names with bigger reps to start the season, but Tanner Scott, Evan Phillips, Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol are all out with injuries. What remains is a nine-man guessing game,” Heyman wrote. “Dodgers manager Dave Roberts seemed reluctant to employ his bullpen in previous rounds, and this performance, with the first eight batters LA’s pen faced driving in nine runs, can’t aid his confidence in the group."
There’s no hiding the fact that the Dodgers’ bullpen is a major concern. Each game, it’s unclear who can be relied upon.
If the Dodgers are to lose this series, it very well could be due to bullpen blunders. Either Roberts guesses the right arm at the right time, or the team could suffer blowup innings in the worst way possible.
Broncos Disclose Playing Status On Ex 3rd Round Pick, Week 8 Inactives
The Denver Broncos face the Dallas Cowboys in week 8, as they look to consolidate their lead atop the AFC West. A lead that they will relinquish if they cannot get past the
But the Broncos got some good injury news with regards to the availability of one their more important backup/role players, just prior to the game, as Jonah Ellis was made active by the team, and will play against the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon in week 8.
With #Broncos OLB Jonah Elliss back after missing two games with shoulder injury, rookie OLB Que Robinson is inactive after having played in his first two NFL games when Elliss was out. Plus all the inactive for today’s game vs. Cowboys.
“With Broncos OLB Jonah Elliss back after missing two games with shoulder injury,” the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reports, “rookie OLB Que Robinson is inactive after having played in his first two
Alongside Que Robinson, other inactives per the team’s website, include running back Jaleel McLaughlin
Broncos Get Jonah Elliss Boost In Week 8
Whilst Eliss is not technically a starter on the Broncos defense, he remains an important part of their rotation when healthy, since arriving in the league just over a year ago.
Over the first five weeks of the season, the 2024 third round pick played around 40% of defensive snaps per game, compared to the 60-70% managed by starters Jonathan Cooper and
Ellis had an unexpectedly strong rookie season, generating 38 tackles, 5 sacks and 2 passes defended, whilst playing in all 17 games. With many expecting Ellis to take another step in year two, the Utah alum has not quite managed to get to that next level, producing 1 sack and 11 tackles in his first five games of the season.
Even so, his return will no doubt be a boost to a Denver defense whose ceiling is right at the top of the league.
What Is The State Of The Denver Defense Ahead Of Week 8?
The Broncos’ defense are in a position that many expected them to be heading into the season, coming in as the #3 total defense, behind only the Atlanta Falcons and the
Perhaps even more importantly, Denver has both a top 10 passing and rushing defense, at #6 and #9 respectively, demonstrating strong capabilities defending both aspects of opposing offenses.
The team will also be without inside linebacker, Dre Greenlaw, who was suspended following an altercation with one of the officials in week 7 against the New York Giants
But beyond that one major miss – although they have been sans Greenlaw for the majority of the season so far, so they are no stranger to playing well without him – the Broncos’ defense has been mercifully healthy and managed to stay on the field by and large.
If they can stay fit and stay in form, there is no question they can remain an elite unit for the remainder of 2025, and keep Denver competitive come the postseason.
