At this stage, you could lock the Los Angeles Dodgers in a room, hand them the key, and they would still find a way to botch things. This isn’t a one-time occurrence; it has happened as consistently as Shohei Ohtani has dazzled on the mound. Ohtani has clearly elevated his game this season, but despite his stellar performances, the Dodgers continue to collapse late in games. With another bullpen meltdown recently, the Dodgers appear to be heading toward serious trouble.

In a recent Dodgers Digest YouTube episode, host Mike Nelson remarked, “I think everyone has to acknowledge that the National League West is still not decided… if the Dodgers had closed out last night’s game, the magic number would be down to two… This still leaves the door open for San Diego, right?… If the Dodgers somehow collapse in the final week and let San Diego win the division, it would be nothing short of catastrophic.”

Shohei Ohtani celebrated his 100th career pitching start by dominating six innings, allowing zero runs, striking out eight, and giving Dodgers fans hope for postseason glory. He threw 91 pitches, topped out at 101.2 mph, and maintained near-99 mph velocity even in his sixth inning of work. His performance, the longest outing of his Dodgers career, showcased mastery after a meticulous rehab following UCL surgery in 2023. Yet, despite his brilliance, the Dodgers’ bullpen unraveled in the ninth inning, allowing the Diamondbacks to walk off 5-4 with Tanner Scott surrendering the decisive hit.

This heartbreaking meltdown is not an isolated incident, as Scott now has ten blown saves this season, exposing persistent bullpen fragility. Since September 1, the Dodgers rank 26th in bullpen ERA at 5.69 and have tied for the most losses in that span, totaling eight. Even elite starting pitching like Ohtani’s has been nullified by repeated failures, as Blake Treinen and Scott have carried all seven September losses. Manager Dave Roberts lamented Scott’s overuse of the slider, illustrating both predictable strategy and high-pressure mis-execution that fans dread.

With the Padres only 1.5 games behind in the NL West, unresolved bullpen woes threaten to cost the Dodgers the division title. Losing this lead would erase months of first-place momentum, turning a historically dominant season into a catastrophic disappointment. Every ninth-inning decision now carries immense weight, and failure to stabilize the bullpen could allow San Diego to overtake them. For a team chasing both a division crown and playoff momentum, repeating these collapses would be the cruelest ending imaginable.

If the Dodgers can’t figure out their bullpen before the final week, even Shohei Ohtani’s brilliance won’t save them. Tanner Scott’s repeated implosions have turned ninth innings into a horror show fans reluctantly pay to watch. Dave Roberts has to rethink strategy fast because the Padres are lurking, ready to snatch the division crown from under their noses. At this rate, the Dodgers might consider issuing seat belts for their leads, because nothing in Los Angeles is safe—except Ohtani’s fastball. If this team doesn’t fix the leaks now, history will remember them not for dominance, but for spectacular, self-inflicted collapses.

Dave Roberts has a message for Tanner Scott after the Dodgers’ loss

In Los Angeles, the Dodgers’ bullpen is writing its own tragicomedy, and Dave Roberts isn’t exactly handing out standing ovations. Tanner Scott’s latest stumble on the mound has fans squinting at the standings, especially with the San Diego Padres lurking just 1.5 games behind. A slip here, a shaky inning there, and a division that once felt locked could suddenly be anyone’s prize—Roberts has some pointed advice ready.

Dave Roberts didn’t mince words after Tanner Scott’s latest blown save, calling out predictable pitch choices. “He went way too heavy on the slider,” Roberts said, criticizing Scott’s decision-making under pressure. The Dodgers’ bullpen has faltered when games are on the line, ranking 26th in ERA since September first. With the Padres closing to just 1.5 games behind, these lapses threaten the team’s hard-earned NL West lead.

Scott, visibly frustrated, admitted his responsibility, saying, “I wasn’t executing pitches… We should have won the game, and it was my fault.” The pitcher’s candid reflection highlights his awareness, yet underscores a recurring struggle that jeopardizes critical matchups. Fixing these inconsistencies is crucial, as Scott’s role remains integral to the Dodgers’ pitching rotation for the foreseeable future. Fans can only hope his focus returns swiftly, or the division crown could slip away unexpectedly.

If Tanner Scott sharpens his pitches, the Dodgers might finally silence bullpen jitters and calm Dave Roberts’ growing frustration. Otherwise, Los Angeles could keep rewriting its own tragicomedy, with fans clutching seats and fingernails alike. The Padres are waiting patiently, and every shaky inning feels like handing them a free rehearsal for a division upset. For Scott, the message is clear: execute or watch the NL West slip through your fingers.