Will the Dodgers finally name their true closer?

Dodgers Manager Sidesteps Formal Title for Standout Reliever

Despite increasingly relying on a key pitcher in critical late-game situations, the manager of the Los Angeles baseball team is deliberately avoiding labeling him the official closer. This strategic ambiguity is creating a buzz around the team's bullpen strategy.

A High-Leverage Arm, By Any Other Name

The pitcher in question has been deployed to secure the final outs in several recent, high-stakes victories. His overpowering performances have naturally drawn comparisons to the traditional role of a shutdown closer, a position that carries a specific, ninth-inning expectation.

However, the manager's public comments suggest a more flexible approach. He has emphasized the value of using his most effective relievers when the game is on the line, regardless of the inning number. This modern pitching philosophy prioritizes game context over rigid roles.

Strategy Over Semantics

Analysts point out that refusing to name a formal closer provides several tactical advantages:

• It keeps opposing managers guessing about which pitcher they might face in the final innings.


• It allows the coaching staff the freedom to use their best reliever in the most critical moment, which may not always be the ninth.


• It helps manage pitcher egos and avoids the potential drama associated with defined roles in a high-profile bullpen.

This approach indicates a shift away from traditional baseball conventions toward a more dynamic, data-informed method of managing the pitching staff throughout the season.

What Do You Think?

• Is the manager's refusal to name a official closer a stroke of genius or an overcomplication that could backfire?


• Does the traditional "closer" role still matter in modern baseball, or is it an outdated concept?


• Could this fluid strategy put more psychological pressure on the relievers, or does it free them to perform without a specific label?


• Are fans being short-changed by not having a designated, star pitcher to celebrate in the ninth inning?