Unexpected Padres' ineptitude has them in danger of blowing NLDS vs Dodgers

Everyone knew the NLDS matchup between the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers was going to be must-see TV. The two division rivals were expected to go all five rounds in this titanic matchup of two NL West heavyweights.

But the Padres weren't supposed to fall victim to the Dodgers' bullpen. LA's relief corps is arguably the weakest link in their chain regardless of what the numbers tell you, and yet, outside of Game 2, San Diego has failed to score a run against the Dodgers' cast of relievers.

Unexpected Padres' ineptitude has them in danger of blowing NLDS vs Dodgers

That was no more evident than during Game 4; a matchup that heavily favored the Friars. A battered starting rotation forced Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to turn Wednesday's affair into a bullpen game. The Padres' hitters should have been licking their chops, but instead, LA's nucleus of relievers dispatched San Diego's lineup like they were a bunch of little leaguers.

Now, to be sure, LA's bullpen is not awful. In terms of ERA among relievers during the regular season, the Dodgers ranked third in the NL while the Padres were just a few spots behind. But much like the Padres, the Dodgers have leaned heavily on their offense. And one would have thought with how dominant the Friars' bats have been throughout the regular season and the playoffs that San Diego could've made something happen Wednesday, especially with Ryan Brasier starting the game.

But over the past 13 innings, the Padres have failed to score against the Dodgers' bullpen. Even including the six earned runs Brasier, Edgardo Henriquez, and Michael Grove gave up in Game 2, the Dodgers relief corps has a 2.38 ERA during the NLDS.

Perhaps the best news that the Padres have heading into Game 5 is that Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to take the mound for the Dodgers. The right-hander allowed five runs on five hits during Game 1. The bad news though is that Roberts pulled Yamamoto after just three innings and the bullpen pitched a shutout for the remaining six while allowing only two hits. Much like the Padres' relievers, the Dodgers pitching staff will get an extra day of rest with Game 5 scheduled for Friday at Chavez Ravine.

The Padres have to figure out how to break through against this surprisingly stingy Dodgers' bullpen. If they can't, the playoff dream of the Friar faithful will end much sooner than they had hoped.

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