Some baseball games, you never forget! But not always because of the right reasons. Some, probably for certain unadulterated chaos… Wild momentum swings, relentless offense, and boiling frustrations are often the themes of these memorable head-to-heads. And the Los Angeles Dodgers recently found themselves in such a space.

LA’s most recent faceoff was an emotional roller coaster, bringing heated arguments among fans. It was a night that left many looking for answers and action.

The Dodgers outlived the Diamondbacks 14-11 on Friday at Chase Field. This game was a heavyweight slugfest more than a typical pitching duel. Shohei Ohtani blasted a go-ahead three-run homer in a stunning six-run ninth inning. Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernández also had big hits for the Boys in Blue. But the D-backs responded with vengeance – or Lourdes Gurriel Jr. with his grand slam! The high-scoring game foreshadowed plenty of pitching woes from both sides.

Then, tensions reached a boiling point in the seventh inning. Mark Prior, the Dodgers’ pitching coach, was ejected by home plate umpire Jeremie Rehak. This came after a controversial bases-loaded walk issued by reliever Luis García. The disputed call resulted in a run, which allowed Arizona to take the lead.

Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the game’s intensity, stating, “It gets emotional, always… You can’t argue balls and strikes.” Prior’s ejection clearly signaled the Dodgers’ growing frustration with the officiating on a tense night.

And in a high-voltage match, it’s very natural that the scrutiny shifts towards every performance that could change the outcome. The spotlight was anything but gentle on relief pitcher Anthony Banda and his disastrous performance. He came in the fifth inning, tasked with protecting a lead. Instead, Banda pitched only 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and four earned runs. He also issued three walks. This disastrous outing caused Banda’s season ERA to balloon to 4.82. His struggles were a major turning point, fueling the bullpen’s tough evening.

And all this drama could not hold back fans from reacting how they do – the typical MLB way…

Dodgers fans’ reaction: Mounting frustration and calls for pitching overhaul

These turbulent events—Banda’s meltdown and Prior’s ejection—didn’t just stay on the field. They quickly overflowed into the Dodgers’ passionate fan base. A lot of the discussion voiced frustration, particularly aimed at the struggling reliever. The calls for change began to echo loudly across the Dodger faithful.

One sentiment, blunt and direct, captured the frustration many felt after Anthony Banda’s pivotal inning. A fan simply stated, “Nah Banda just sucks.” This harsh assessment followed Banda’s performance against the Diamondbacks. He surrendered a game-tying grand slam. In just 1.2 innings, he allowed four earned runs on three hits and three walks. That disastrous outing caused his season ERA to skyrocket to 4.82, a number that clearly angers fans.

This wasn’t just a momentary outburst from one supporter; a broader sense of exasperation was evident. Another fan expressed a weariness that many shared, commenting, “I’m fed up with Banda.” This frustration stems from a pattern of shaky performances in 2025. Beyond the May 9th debacle, Banda’s season includes a concerning 5.79 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP). This FIP suggests his 4.82 ERA might actually be fortunate. His low strikeout rate (6.27 K/9) and high home run rate (1.93 HR/9) further trouble fans. This followed a late April game where he also gave up a grand slam, making patience wear thin.

Some fans tried to contextualize the loss while also critiquing other players, including highly-touted rookie Roki Sasaki. One comment offered a mixed view: “We win some we lose some. Sasaki was way over hyped. Banda is an average middle reliever.” Sasaki’s May 9th start was indeed rough; he allowed five earned runs in four innings with zero strikeouts. His season ERA sits at 4.72 with an alarming 6.17 FIP. So, probably an expected reaction from fans!

With the bullpen showing cracks, many supporters started looking for familiar solutions to bring stability. The desire for a proven arm was clear in one popular suggestion: “Bring Joe Kelly back.” Veteran reliever Joe Kelly, currently a free agent, has a strong track record with the Dodgers. He is known for his high-velocity fastball and experience in crucial moments. Career numbers like a 3.87 FIP and solid 2025 projections (FIP around 3.30) make him an appealing option.

Ultimately, the most severe calls were for decisive action regarding Anthony Banda’s roster spot. Echoing a sentiment for immediate change, a fan declared, “Banda needs dfa.” This demand for Banda to be designated for assignment aligns with the Dodgers’ known history. The organization often makes tough calls on underperforming players. Examples include non-tendering former MVP Cody Bellinger and demoting Bobby Miller earlier in 2025. Now, should they go ahead and do the same with Banda?

Given Banda’s concerning metrics and recent struggles, fans feel his situation warrants similar decisive action from the front office. Any thoughts?