Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Kenley Jansen’s Impressive, Record-Setting Performance on Wednesday Night

Seeing Kenley Jansen at the peak of his game is really something to watch. When he’s consistently locking down saves for the Dodgers, opposing hitters don’t stand a chance. And lately, he’s pitching like that. 

Jansen came on in the 9th and completely shut down the Diamondbacks for the second time in the series. The Dodgers closer touched 95 mph a few times on his heater, and the cut fastball looked really good. Overall, one heck of a save for the big man. 



Kenley’s performance also happened to be a record-setting one. His 321st save with one team put him third all-time on that list. He passed Dennis Eckersley who saved 320 games with the Oakland A’s in his career. All 321 of Kenley’s saves have come with the Dodgers. 

Jansen now trails just Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman on that list, and he was floored hearing that. 

Yeah, it’s crazy. The two best who ever did it and to see your name to be underneath them is pretty special – a kid from Curacao. Growing up, I never thought I’m gonna be in the big leagues. And here I am, living a dream.

It’s easy to take for granted what Kenley has done with the Dodgers. His greatness is why it’s so easy for fans to pile on him when he gives up a run or blows a save opportunity. It’s just been expected for him to dominate over his years in Los Angeles. 

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If he truly has recaptured some of his 2017 form, the Dodgers are going to be very well off in the bullpen. Jansen has his ERA down to 1.45 and is striking out batters at a very high rate. He’s also managed to get his walks down, something that has hurt him in recent history. 

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6 Comments

  1. I will consider, “Impressive,” IF he helps the team down the stretch, IF he helps the team during the postseason.

  2. While it’s quite an accomplishment for him, this save wasn’t record-setting. All he did was a move up on the list. It won’t be a record-setter until he passes Rivera. Then it’s a record.

  3. With respect to Kenley. As the great Scully would say, its not that you win but who you win against that matters most.

  4. I like the way he is now mixing up his pitches and making the batters guessing. His attack mode aggression is an intimidating no-nonsense character that fits him perfectly. Good to see him back as a shut- down closer. The key for him is getting that 1st strike in and getting the 1st batter out, then you know he has it. Great adjustment! If he can keep that form, I see a lot more saves coming and more wins.

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