DENVER — The Dodgers found their footing in Colorado, getting back to the style of play that has resulted in back-to-back World Series titles and a rare opportunity to play for a third come October.
“A week ago, we were in a dark place,” Manager Dave Roberts said after a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies that was highlighted by solid pitching, sound defense, and the kind of timely hitting that has eluded them for weeks. “It was good to see us come back this series and play the way we’re capable of.”
Part of that return to form included reliever Tanner Scott back in the closer’s role following Edwin Diaz’s troublesome three-run ninth inning in the series opener (an 11-5 win for the Dodgers) and his subsequent return to the injured list with neck inflammation.
Taking advantage of his first save opportunities since July 24, Scott came on for a four-out save in Tuesday’s 7-6 win and pitched the 10th inning on Wednesday to finish off a 6-4 victory in the series finale.
“His superpower is he doesn’t really let things affect his emotions,” Roberts said. “You could argue he could have been the closer, should have been the closer, but nothing affects him once he steps on the field. Right now, it’s easy to say he’s our best reliever and most consistent reliever, and I certainly see him as our closer.”
The left-hander’s superpower isn’t relegated to his time on the field – his unflappable focus is equally apparent in the clubhouse and in the bullpen.
“I just wait for the phone to ring,” Scott said of his approach to both his relief role and the nature of the assignment of the moment. “That’s all I go by. It’s the easiest way to stay ready for any situation. Wait for the phone call.”
The approach has worked for Scott, but as much as he relishes the camaraderie among relievers, he laughs at the idea of anybody coming to him for advice on pitching out of the bullpen.
“I sit in my locker and don’t say anything,” Scott claimed. “I go do my thing in the gym and stay to myself.”
When pushed, he’ll admit to a go-to response when younger pitchers approach him for tips.
“Find a routine to stick with,” Scott advises. “No matter good or bad, just stick with it.”
Scott joined the Dodgers on a four-year, $72 million contract before the 2025 season, having broken in with Baltimore in 2017 and completed stints in Miami from 2022-’24 and San Diego in the latter part of ’24. He has a career ERA of 3.57 ERA with 96 saves, 609 strikeouts and 231 walks over 477 innings.
His first season with the Dodgers was a challenge, blowing 10 saves and posting an ERA that was more than a run higher than his career mark. Roberts attributed the sub-par season to “health things towards the end that he was kind of downplaying,” though Scott made no excuses.
“I sucked last year,” Scott said candidly before the series finale in Colorado. “There were things I was doing wrong, delivery, just everything. I was getting very predictable. It was an overall terrible year. We won the World Series, so that’s a plus. But it wasn’t a good year.”
Scott gave himself a “mental flush” following the World Series and turned his attention to the 2026 season, after soaking in an offseason of family time.
The Dodgers remained confident in his ability to bounce back, given his well-suited “superpower” for a player who makes his name in the back of the bullpen.
“He’s very good at not letting the noise affect him,” Roberts said. “He’s got an inner confidence. He works really hard. He loves to just pitch. He wants to pitch every day. He doesn’t run from struggles. And he’s obviously got the talent. He’s turned in a fantastic season.”
Scott has 18 saves in 20 opportunities this year, along with 12 holds. His 2.28 ERA is more than a run below his career mark, and he’s poised to surpass his previous career high of 23 saves from last season. His last blown save was 6½ weeks ago – on July 6 at home against the Rockies – and he’s been a key cog in a relief corps that has helped the Dodgers establish a 71-2 record when leading after eight innings despite All-Star closer Diaz missing the bulk of the season so far.
“He’s been great,” Roberts said of what Scott has meant to the team this season. “Tanner doesn’t complain. He’s always ready, wants to pitch, wants to help his teammates, his team, and certainly given how last year went, for him to come back and right the ship – he’s been our most consistent reliever by far. I trust him and feel like I can use him in any situation.”
A secondary superpower might be Scott’s ability to efficiently assess any situation he’s confronted with. When asked what gives him hope for a successful stretch run, Scott was characteristically succinct.
“We’re playing like the Dodgers,” he responded.
UP NEXT
Pirates (RHP Bubba Chandler, 6-8, 4.23 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 12-7, 2.60 ERA), Friday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM