Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Kenley Jansen Reaches Eighth 20 Save Season

Dodgers’ closer Kenley Jansen recorded his 20th save of the season last night with a zero hit, three strikeout inning to finish off the Chicago Cubs.

The save added another number to a historic feat that speaks towards Jansen’s dominance over the span of his career in LA.



Jansen’s eight twenty save seasons is the most in Dodgers history and it’s not even close.

The all-star reliever has double the amount of such seasons, with the next closest relievers on the list being Jim Brewer and Jeff Shaw at four seasons.

Despite a relatively shaky start to the season, Jansen seems to have recaptured some of his dominance of the past and remains one of the few bright spots in what has been an extremely lackluster bullpen for the Dodgers.

He currently sits in second place in the NL in saves, only trailing San Diego’s Kirby Yates, and has lowered his ERA from 4.67 on May 5 to 2.93 after last night.

There’s no denying that Jansen looks confident and much like his old self.

There’s no need to look further than what transpired last night to see that. Jansen intentionally committed a balk to allow Jason Heyward to advance from second to third base, ensuring that he wasn’t relaying any signs to the batter from second.

The Dodgers, who currently hold a 10.5 game division lead and are sitting in first place in the entire NL, will need Jansen at his best as they attempt to advance to their third straight World Series and actually win it this time come October.

For now, however, the team and fans alike are just happy to see him performing with the same confidence and swagger as he used to.

Kellan Grant

I’m currently a junior at Pomona College in Claremont, CA, and I have a passion for sports journalism. I grew up in the LA area and am a diehard fan of the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, UCLA, Kings. My favorite Dodgers memory was watching Kershaw tear up after the team won the 2017 NLCS and advanced to the World Series for the first time in his career. After college, I plan on either pursuing a career as a sports journalist or working in sports law.

11 Comments

  1. Heroe one night, goat the next. Kenley just gave up a game wimming homerun to Rizzo. A blown save and a loss, spoiling a great start by Walker, HOF, Buehler.

  2. Time to trade for Brad Hand! He will serve as great setup man and backup closer if Jansen continues to give up HRs and lose games.

  3. You’re a day too soon with your article as he’s blown another save. May have 8th 20 save season, but past few years he can’t really be counted on. No reason to blow another game last night. He doesn’t even look like he cares.

  4. Folks, yes KJ blew a save and got bitten again by the HR. It happens a lot within this BP. But Dodgers had every opportunity to put more than that just 1 measly little run on the board so I blame the inept offense as much as I would blame Kenley.

    1. AZUL, KJ has had a few rough outing this season, that’s for sure. The player I empathize with is Buehler, who pitched a heck of a game. Hopefully, we can take the series this evening, before the “March of the Western Division Teams” begins tomorrow. It would nice to assert ourselves above and beyond what we have accomplished this year against these clubs. To head into the ASG with an even bigger lead would be nice. Also, the addition of Hand, and maybe a right-handed bat would be very beneficial to our cause. Go Blue!!!!!

  5. Spot on, LOU. As I said I just hope we can take care of those needs ya mentioned without having to part with Will Smith, Gavin Lux and Dustin may. I guess others can be had.but we do know a guy like Hand will not come cheap.

    1. Paul, Hand will cost us a hefty price, but, some times, you need to crack a few eggs to make a souffle. We are very close to being a WS caliber team. The addition of a player the caliber of Hand should put us in the “elite” class. And think of the revenue that would produce!!! Go Blue!!!

  6. The offense is throwing away great starts by Dodger pitching. Ryu should be at 12 wins, but lack of contact hitting, is once again, popping up. Reminds me of Hill’s no-hitter that never happened because of no run production.
    No, seriously, they will not win a WS if they continue like this.

  7. Didn’t the Dodgers lose the third game of the series to the Cubs in the 9th inning when Rizzo hit a 2 run homerun? And didn’t the Dodgers risk losing the fourth game in the 9th inning BUT FOR Alex Verdugo’s magnificent catch? Again, we will make it to the post season BUT the Dodgers need something much more to make it through to win a world series. This is the proverbial elephant in the room and no matter how much we may want to pretend that the bull pen is not as it seems, it is. The deadline to bring in some help (in whatever form) is July 31st…………….

  8. After last night’s performance in the 9th against SF,Jansen is not what is going to be needed in critical situations in the playoffs. He looks tired and old. We need Brand Hand an Bauer if we are going to have any chance in the playoffs.Mr. Friedman ,don’t sit on your laurels ,you have the money and assets(players) MAKE IT HAPPEN. We’ve waiting too long for the ultimate prize,a World Series ring.

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