While one young infielder shoulders responsibility with public humility, the Los Angeles Dodgers skipper signals that the real work — and trust — remains in a veteran’s capable hands.

Los Angeles has posted a 5-1 record over six games, highlighted by a recent explosive offensive display versus the Giants. But even in the games they have won, their bullpen looks shaky, and Tanner Scott has looked like a rookie pitcher. But nobody is giving up on him, especially Dave Roberts. In his interview after the Giants game with The Dodgers Bleed Los Podcast Network, Roberts sounded confident. “I thought the slider tonight was much better… just wanted to get him back in the game… want him to know that we have confidence in him.”

“I just felt that to kind of wash last night’s outing… what better way to do that than get back in there. And so, to his credit, he [Scott] made the most of it,” Roberts explained. That blown save against the Giants in the 10th inning after giving a walk-off Grand Slam would have hurt, as Scott has also called this the “worst year of my life”.

Tanner Scott’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster of unfulfilled expectations, blown saves, and mounting pressure. The Dodgers’ $72 million closer struggled through nine blown saves, posting a 4.91 ERA over 51.1 innings, leaving fans and teammates frustrated. Opposing hitters seemed unusually dialed in, punishing elevated fastballs while Scott’s confidence wavered in high-leverage situations across 55 appearances.

Despite the season-long turbulence, Scott showed glimpses of redemption in the last outing against the San Francisco Giants, pitching a scoreless inning.

Rookie catcher Ben Rortvedt publicly shouldered responsibility for some of the misfortunes, explaining that pitch-calling decisions contributed to the hits Scott allowed. “No one’s supposed to hit that pitch. Really, no one’s supposed to hit that pitch,” Rortvedt remarked, emphasizing accountability while maintaining confidence in his teammate. This honest insight provided both support for Scott and emphasized that pitching thrives on teamwork and precision.

Tanner Scott, meanwhile, acknowledged the struggles were compounded by possible tipped pitches and hitters’ adjustments, calling this his worst year. “I don’t know if I’m tipping or what, but they’re on everything. It sucks,” he admitted, after giving away a walk-off Grand Slam to Patrick Bailey. So, now, the Dodgers might start actively supporting Scott’s return to form, balancing confidence-building with practical bullpen management strategies. If the Dodgers are serious about defending their crown, they can’t afford a closer unraveling in the ninth.

If the Dodgers hope to repeat as champions, Tanner Scott’s rollercoaster needs more ups than downs, and fast. Dave Roberts’ steadfast faith isn’t just motivational—it’s a calculated gamble on a high-priced arm still searching for its groove. With Ben Rortvedt willing to share the blame, Los Angeles has a rare luxury: Accountability without panic. The message is clear: Scott’s failures are public, but so is the opportunity to turn them into unforgettable redemption.

The Dodgers have a pitching problem, but are not making any changes. Why?

The Dodgers—Dave Roberts, Mark Prior, and their lineup of high-profile arms—seem to worship the idea that veteran pedigree automatically beats performance. Fans squint at Tanner Scott trotting in for yet another ninth inning, and whispers of “here we go again” echo through Dodger Stadium. Injuries, blown saves, and a 4.21 ERA? Minor details. The plan, apparently, is faith over facts.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ bullpen has faced a season riddled with inconsistency, injuries, and untimely blown saves, ranking 19th with a 4.21 ERA. Yet, Dave Roberts insists, “These are the guys we signed off on, we believe in them,” emphasizing faith over immediate results. Veteran relievers like Tanner Scott have been entrusted with high-leverage innings despite repeated struggles, reflecting the team’s reliance on experience.

In addition to Scott, Kirby Yates and Blake Treinen have contributed to uneven late-inning performances, further straining the unit’s stability and reliability.

Treinen, after returning from an elbow injury, has shown flashes of his prior playoff dominance, prompting Coach Mark Prior to note, “If they see a guy having some success, things just snowball.” Meanwhile, Yates continues to struggle with a 4.71 ERA, while injuries to Michael Kopech, Alex Vesia, and Brock Stewart have disrupted the bullpen’s rhythm. This combination of setbacks underscores how precarious the Dodgers’ relief corps has become during critical moments of the season.

Despite these challenges, the Dodgers’ strategy focuses on trusting their proven veterans while cautiously integrating rookies in lower-pressure situations.

Dave Roberts explained, “I live in a world of, what’s the alternative? Edgardo Henriquez isn’t now the savior,” signaling reliance on experience. Prior added, “This game is so much about feeling confident…stacking good outings, and momentum becomes contagious for the group.” The outlook stays cautiously hopeful: If key relievers return to form, the Dodgers aim for postseason stability.

In the end, Dodgers fans watch Tanner Scott trot in, hoping experience magically conquers statistics. Roberts and Prior cling to faith like it’s a playoff-winning formula, ignoring the glaring ERA warning signs. Injuries and blown saves remain inconvenient details in a strategy that prizes pedigree over performance. Whether this daring gamble succeeds brilliantly or fails dramatically, Los Angeles understands one truth: Patience is costly, yet reliably steady.