No relief from those bullpen blues

Unreliable relievers make it hard to see Dodgers as serious playoff contenders

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THE DODGERS didn't have much to cheer about after their relievers struggled against the Phillies in a frustrating 6-5, 10-inning loss on Monday.

Bye-bye, bye. Hello, Dodger bullpen.

It was all so familiar. It was all so infuriating. It was the 2025 season boiled down into three hours of roars, then screams, then sighs.

The gasping, grappling Dodgers needed a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies this week to have any chance at a first-round bye in the upcoming playoffs.

One game down, and their bullpen has already suffocated them.

They're not going to get the bye. They couldn't survive Philly's first punch. It was the same old story. The Dodgers' continually vexing relief pitchers gave back a two-run lead, ruined two ensuing comebacks and then were burned for a 10th-inning double steal that led to the winning run in the Phillies' 6-5 victory.

In a scene reminiscent of past October failures, a mournful Dodger Stadium crowd witnessed the Phillies dancing out of their dugout and squeezing into souvenir T-shirts and loudly celebrating on the field after clinching the National League East title.

In a scene also reminiscent of past October failures, just a few steps from the party, the Dodgers club house was deathly quiet.

Max Muncy was asked about the bullpen, which gave up five of the six Phillies runs Monday, including three homers.

"That's a tough question," he said.