The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a blazing start in 2026, and their bullpen is making waves. With Edwin Diaz now anchoring the closing role, the Dodgers' relief squad is looking like a formidable force.
Diaz, who brought his iconic "Narco" entrance from New York, complete with a live trumpet performance by Tatiana Tate, has already made a splash with two saves against the D-backs. Dodgers fans are loving it, and why wouldn’t they?
The excitement is palpable.
The bullpen's transformation from last season is evident. They’ve kicked off the year with 11 scoreless innings, a stark contrast to their struggles in the previous campaign.
A key player to watch is World Series hero Will Klein. Despite uncertainty surrounding his spot on the roster, Klein's impressive spring training and the current injury list opened the door for him.
With a fastball touching 98 mph, Klein’s potential hinges on his ability to consistently find the strike zone. If he does, he could be the linchpin in this revamped bullpen.
The Dodgers' relief crew hasn't surrendered an earned run yet, joining an elite group of just three teams who’ve kept opponents scoreless in relief. Notably, they’ve logged the most innings among these teams, showcasing depth and resilience.
The big question: Can the Dodgers hit the 100-win mark this season? They last achieved this milestone in 2023, sharing the spotlight with the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves. Historically, the Dodgers have been no strangers to triple-digit wins, achieving it four times between 2019 and 2023, with the only miss during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when they clinched the World Series.
Currently projected for 93 wins, the Dodgers’ path to 100 hinges on their bullpen's ability to maintain this lights-out performance. If they continue to shut down opponents late in games, reaching that century mark could become a reality once again in 2026.