The Los Angeles Dodgers: A Tale of Struggles and Success
As the second half of the season begins, the Los Angeles Dodgers hold the top spot in the NL West and boast the best record in the National League. However, despite spending a whopping $107 million on three relievers during the offseason, the team has yet to find the consistency needed for another deep playoff run.
While the offense has been carrying the roster, one player’s struggles in the ninth inning continue to cast a dark cloud over the team. That player is none other than Tanner Scott.
Despite the team’s overall success, Scott’s performance in the ninth inning has been less than stellar. His struggles have caused concern among fans and have raised questions about the team’s ability to close out games effectively.
With the playoffs looming, the Dodgers will need to address this issue and find a solution to their ninth-inning woes if they hope to make another run at the World Series title.
But for now, the team will continue to rely on their strong offense and hope that Scott can turn things around and become a reliable closer for the team. Only time will tell if the Dodgers can overcome this hurdle and continue their journey towards another championship.
Dodgers Set to Make Bold Trade for Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley, According to CBS Sports Prediction
The Los Angeles Dodgers may be leading the NL West and have the best record in the National League, but their bullpen is in need of a makeover. Despite spending $107 million on three relievers during the offseason, the Dodgers have struggled to find consistency in their bullpen, which could hinder their chances of making another deep playoff run. While the offense has been carrying the team, closer Tanner Scott’s struggles in the ninth inning have been a cause for concern. While it may be risky to move Scott out of the closer role, it is not out of the question.
According to Mike Axisa of CBS Sports, the Dodgers are predicted to make a bold move at the trade deadline by acquiring St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley. In his “Second Half Bold Predictions,” Axisa believes that Helsley, who has not been able to replicate his All-Star season of 2024, would be a valuable addition to the Dodgers’ bullpen.
Helsley, 31, has struggled with control this season, with a 3.8 walks per nine rate, and has yet to find his stride, resulting in the third-highest blown save total in 2025. However, he still possesses a dominant fastball (99th percentile per Baseball Savant) and an impressive chase rate, making him one of the top relievers on the market.
While the Cardinals, who are just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, may be hesitant to sell, Axisa believes they are a prime candidate to buy and sell. If this is the case, Helsley would be an excellent piece for the Dodgers to acquire, as he is a rental player and would not require a significant financial investment or a large number of prospects.
In a recent article by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Dodgers’ president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed his frustration with the need to spend more money at the trade deadline, after already investing nearly $2 billion into the roster over the past two winters. Helsley would be a cost-effective addition for the Dodgers, both financially and in terms of prospects.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
