Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out the side on Friday against the Miami Marlins, not allowing a single runner to reach base in the process. He admitted afterwards that there was a little bit extra behind it.
The Dodger bullpen was responsible for two lost games in their series against the Philadelphia Phillies during the week, with Jansen melting down in one of them. He admitted after Friday’s 2-1 win over Miami that he was tired of hearing the criticisms and answering the questions that came along with those struggles.
Kenley Jansen had a Zlatan-like edge about him last night while striking out all three Marlins he faced: “Enough is enough. I’m sick and tired of getting beat around and talking at the end of the game (to the media) about different stuff."
— Doug Padilla (@DougPadilla) July 20, 2019
More Jansen: “I’m just trying to have fun again and just trying to get that attitude again to put a stop to it when hitters are trying to hurt me out there. I’m sick and tired of it. Now is the time to just go get it and get what we want to get.”
— Doug Padilla (@DougPadilla) July 20, 2019
I asked about the fine line between pitching angry and staying in his mechanics: “I’m not thinking about any mechanics, or any of that stuff anymore. Like I said, it’s enough. I just want to have fun again. I’m going to go out there to keep competing and keep getting better.”
— Doug Padilla (@DougPadilla) July 20, 2019
Also asked if he’s tired of the talk that the Dodgers need relief help at the trade deadline. He went all Dennis Green: “Listen man, we know who we are. It would be awesome to get another arm, but that is the attitude that we should have all the time, that we know who we are.”
— Doug Padilla (@DougPadilla) July 20, 2019
Kenley in conclusion: "We know we have one of the best bullpens out there.”
— Doug Padilla (@DougPadilla) July 20, 2019
Jansen pitched through an injury when blowing a save in Philadelphia, ratcheting up criticism from both fans and his manager. The Dodgers will be playing in October, and the bullpen is viewed by many as their biggest potential weak spot. Jansen is tired of hearing it and made a statement on Friday; now some of his teammates may need to do the same.
