In the latest showdown between the Dodgers and Mets, Tanner Scott was supposed to be the ace up the Dodgers’ sleeve. But instead, he fell short of expectations, bringing down the curtain on a frustrating night for the Los Angeles squad that ended in a 4-3 loss. This game served as a painful reminder that sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel under pressure.
Back in spring training, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts referred to Scott—who signed a hefty $72 million contract—as “like an assassin.” That image of dominance has sadly shifted in recent performances. Scott’s ability to instill fear in opposing hitters seems to have evaporated, especially after giving up two runs in the top of the 10th inning on Monday night, which ultimately sealed the team’s fate.
Instead of lighting up the radar gun with his blazing fastball and finishing off batters with his formidable slider, Scott found himself struggling with basic execution. The pattern has become all too familiar for him this season as he dropped to his second loss and marked five blown saves out of 15 opportunities. The primary issue? Location. Scott admitted as much, saying, “I’m just not hitting my locations, and it’s costing us.” It’s been a tough stretch as his fastball—once a feared weapon—has instead led to hard-hit balls and runs against, leaving the fan base holding its breath every time he takes the mound.
Adding to the disappointment, Scott’s struggles came after a quality outing from Dustin May, who pitched six strong innings, allowing just two runs. The team’s offensive efforts, highlighted by Shohei Ohtani’s dominance—who tied the game in the ninth—seemed to set the stage for a win. But when Scott was called in, the whole dynamic shifted. Francisco Alvarez’s RBI double and Francisco Lindor’s subsequent hit drove the dagger deeper, driving home the point that even a strong fight by the rest of the team can’t compensate for late-inning missteps.
A silver lining existed in May’s performance as he surpassed his previous career-high for innings pitched in a season, emphasizing his resilience through injuries. “I feel like I’m in an OK spot,” he remarked post-game, a hopeful sign for the team’s starting rotation. Meanwhile, Ohtani continues his chase for greatness this season, with his powerful bat keeping hope alive for the Dodgers until the very end.
The ninth inning saw the Dodgers mount a comeback courtesy of some savvy base running and Ohtani’s ability to get the job done. But as the game entered extras, Scott’s failure to close the door meant that yet again, the Dodger’s bullpen was left to shoulder the blame. The team is navigating a challenging period with injuries plaguing their relief corps, leaving Scott in a precarious position as the closest available option.
Roberts has been cautious about assigning the title of “closer” to Scott, echoing the sentiment that the team is closely evaluating matchups and pitcher performance. As the loss mounted, it became clear that the urgency to find a reliable and consistent game finisher has escalated.
In the final moments, a late rally brought the Dodgers close, with Freddie Freeman drawing a walk and Andy Pages adding an RBI single. The stadium buzzed with optimism, but a strikeout and two weak outs concluded the game. “A loss is a loss,” Roberts said, capturing the sense of opportunity lost. For Scott, the weight of his struggles has become a heavy burden, and he voiced his frustration, expressing a deep sense of disappointment, especially knowing how hard the team fought to claw back into contention.
Moving forward, the Dodgers will need to reassess their bullpen strategy as they grapple with injuries and inconsistent performances. In the heat of a tight race, they can’t afford these high-profile miscues if they aim to make a deep playoff run. And for Tanner Scott, the hopes rest on finding the command that once made him an imposing presence on the mound, as he works to regain the confidence not just of the fans but also of his teammates who are counting on him to deliver in the clutch.
