Blake Treinen has arguably been the most valuable relief pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen this season.
He leads all Dodgers’ relievers with 52.2 innings pitched and has posted a 1.88 ERA, 2.61 FIP, 29.3% strikeout rate, 7.3% walk rate and 1.6 WAR in 52 games. Treinen’s success has led to calls for him to replace Kenley Jansen as the Dodgers’ closer.
Manager Dave Roberts has regularly stated Jansen remaining closer is best for the team, and more recently he outlined what benefit comes with Treinen pitching in a flexible role.
“With Blake, we’ve used him in leverage — call it the fifth inning, sixth inning, seventh inning — and a certain part of the lineup,” Roberts said.