Editorials

Dodgers: Dustin May or Tony Gonsolin as a Relief Pitcher For the Playoffs?

The Dodgers will have a tough decision to make, as October approaches. Who will get the last spot in the bullpen, Dustin May or Tony Gonsolin?

The Dodgers bullpen will likely feature Kenta Maeda, Julio Urias, Pedro Baez, Joe Kelly, Adam Kolarek, Ross Stripling, and of course, Kenley Jansen. That leaves one spot open. Kolarek hasn’t had a strong start for the Dodgers, but he will likely be on the 40-man roster. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have acquired him before the trade deadline. Should Dustin May or Tony Gonsolin get that last pitching spot?



Dustin May has pitched 11.1 innings, given up 14 hits, 5 runs, 1 dinger, and striking out 10 batters, in 2 games. Each game he has pitched 5.2 innings. In his first outing, the Dodgers defense could have done a better job, and May would have had a better performance. In the first outing, May gave up 9 hits, 4 runs, struck out 3 batters, and threw 97 pitches. He did struggle in the 6th inning, but the second game he pitched phenomenally, giving up 5 hits, 1 run, 1 dinger, struck out 7 batters and threw 83 pitches.

Tony Gonsolin has pitched 14 innings, given up 11 hits, 7 runs, 1 dinger, and striking out 13 batters. Gonsolin’s first outing was rocky too. He pitched in late June against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, giving up 6 hits, 6 runs, 1 HR, struck out 3 batters, in just 4 innings pitched. In his second outing, he was used as a relief pitcher, going 4 innings, giving up 3 hits, 1 run, struck out 3 batters, and picked up a save. In his third outing, Gonsolin pitched 6 innings, gave up just 2 hits, 0 runs, and struck out 7 batters.

Gonsolin has shown in Colorado, nonetheless, that he can be a reliable pitcher from the bullpen. However, May has shown he can dominate through 5 innings of play. This will be a tough decision when the time comes, and there could be an outside chance they roster 13 pitchers in October, but that is unlikely to happen.

May and Gonsolin will likely have another month or so to prove themselves, to see who has the edge. If they could roster 13 pitchers, that would be good news for May, Gonsolin, and the Dodgers. If not, as it stands right now, May is in favor of being the 12th pitcher on the Dodgers pitching rotation, due to the fact that he is guaranteed a 3rd start, and Gonsolin was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

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Gonsolin has an ERA of 3.21 and May has an ERA of 3.18. If the Dodgers can’t roster May and Gonsolin, May should get the last spot in the rotation, because he has shown he’s able to go 5 innings, without much damage being caused.

Levon Satamian

My name is Levon Satamian. I am currently attending Cal State Northridge, and majoring in Broadcast Journalism.

7 Comments

  1. At this point it would be nice to see anyone but Jansen in there to close the games. His “stuff” is clearly going downhill and out of the park at an increasing rate. My vote is for Gonsolin who seems a better control pitcher and assuming his pitches keep up the movement, could really hep the pen out. We didn’t trade for help, in a pen that was leaking runs badly, so now it is fill the closer hole before it gets any worse and find the rest of the talent from within what we’ve got. Just sit Jansen down in the late innings. He’s not executing.

    1. Skoonj6 You are absolutely right on with Jansen. Love the guy he was great but he’s 50/50 right now. Time will tell on May and Gonsolin but I think your on to something.
      After tonite they gotta move Maeda to bullpen and Urias I’m starting to have my doubts about him as a reliever. He’s a starter and suits him best. This may seem crazy but if Kershaw was open to this and Hill can come back and be Hill, I’d let Kershaw close as needed and start if necessary as the series dictate. Baez in my opinion has been the most consistent all year. He always went into a slump in the 2nd half and was risky years ago. I was premature with Joe Kelly his stuff can be wicked.
      Ryu, Bueler,Hill, Urias,(Kershaw) that’s my starters for the playoffs. Strippling can do the long relief and we gotta find a way to get May in. I’d roll the dice with May over Yimi and any others including Floro but a lot remains to be seen Sadler looks good too.
      Tryouts for closer need to start now!!!

      John in Yreka

  2. Friedman has stated multiple times that they will have a 12 man staff for The postseason

  3. The Dodger front office decided to go with their current bullpen in October, so as a fan, it is hard to be positive. Jansen is not only struggling mightily with his stuff but he looks like he left his confidence in the clubhouse when he arrives at the mound. He can’t hold runners, he is spooked by runners behind him at second, and oh yeah, those home runs in the ninth. The answer to this dilemma is obvious if not easy, score a lot more runs.

  4. I think Jansen over-relies on his cutter and slider. Dodgers have talked to him about mixing in other pitches, which he did once, with great results. Why he’s gone back to just these 2 pitches is frustrating. Beginning to think he’s too stubborn for his own good (think 70’s pitcher Mike Marshall). As a player ages they must adjust to survive – and Kenley ain’t!

  5. Both. Maybe one can close cause Kenley is not the guy. Only Dave Roberts has faith. Not many fans do.

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