ESPN‘s David Schoenfield said the Los Angeles Dodgers have nothing to fear with their bullpen, and that it’s crucial for a 100-win year.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has a completely different look in 2026 with Edwin Diaz functioning as their closer, but the rest of the bullpen is also pulling its weight.
“In case you were wondering: Yes, Edwin Diaz brought ‘Narco’ with him from New York — and this time with a live trumpet player in Tatiana Tate,” Schoenfield wrote. “Diaz’s entrance thrilled Dodgers fans just as it did Mets fans. More thrilling, however, was Diaz recording two saves in his first two appearances as the Dodgers swept the D-backs.
“After Los Angeles’ bullpen struggled last season, it started 2026 with 11? scoreless innings. The secret weapon here might be World Series star Will Klein. Despite his 72-pitch, four-inning outing to win Game 3, Klein was hardly a lock to make the roster this year. But he had a strong spring training and, combined with several Dodgers pitchers still being on the IL, he cracked the Opening Day roster. Klein throws 98 mph, so the arm strength has never been in doubt. If he can pitch strikes, he could emerge as a key guy in a much-improved Dodgers pen.
“And if that’s the case, they will easily win 100 games, which no team has done the past two seasons.”
LA’s bullpen is yet to be charged with an earned run, and has been a crucial part of the Dodgers’ success through the first three games of the season. The Dodgers are one of just three teams to not allow a run in relief so far this season, and have pitched the most relief innings (11.2) of any of those teams.
Can the Dodgers win 100 Games in 2026?
The Dodgers were one of the last teams to finish with a 100-win season, just barely breaking the threshold with 100 wins on the dot in 2023. The Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves also broke 100 that year.
LA reached the 100-win mark four times from 2019-23, only missing the mark in the shortened 2020 season during which they won the World Series.
They’re currently projected for 93 wins on the season, but if they can continue to shut teams down in the late innings, they’ll be in a great spot to return to triple-digit wins in 2026.
How many games will the Dodgers win this season?
