Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is choosing to focus on the positives following Edwin Diaz's second consecutive blown save, which occurred during a tense matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Despite the outcome, Roberts believes there are encouraging signs for the star closer.
In a game on August 8, 2026, the Dodgers entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a narrow 1-0 lead, aiming to end a seven-game losing streak. However, things took a turn for the worse when Diaz took the mound. He quickly surrendered two triples, allowing the Diamondbacks to tie the game and placing a runner on third base with no outs.
At that moment, it appeared the game might slip away from the Dodgers. However, Diaz showcased resilience, managing to escape the jam without allowing the go-ahead run to score. A crucial defensive play by Max Muncy, who caught a hard-hit lineout, and a pop-up helped Diaz regain his composure. He ultimately struck out the final batter, forcing the game into extra innings.
Despite the blown save, Diaz's performance provided a glimmer of hope for Roberts and the Dodgers. Observers noted that Diaz's fastball reached 99 MPH during the critical strikeout, indicating that his velocity remains intact. However, concerns linger regarding his slider, which has been inconsistent and underutilized in recent outings.
This latest blown save marks Diaz's second in as many games, following a previous outing where he allowed a walk-off two-run homer due to a poorly placed slider. Despite these setbacks, Roberts has publicly expressed his confidence in Diaz, emphasizing the importance of maintaining faith in the closer.
Roberts highlighted a noticeable shift in Diaz's intensity during the game, stating, "I think for me it was just the intensity. I think that you saw once they scored the run, man on third base, nobody out. You saw the intensity pick up, the stuff pick up, the fastball got better, the slider got better." This intensity, according to Roberts, is something that Diaz needs to maintain from the very first pitch.
While Roberts acknowledged Diaz's struggles, he also pointed out that the closer has been working through a challenging rehabilitation process. The manager suggested that Diaz's recent experiences could serve as a turning point for his performance moving forward. "I think that this is something I think could be a springboard for the outings to come," Roberts noted.
As the Dodgers continue their season, the hope is that Diaz can harness the intensity he displayed during the game to regain his status as an elite closer. With two years remaining on his contract and the postseason on the horizon, there remains ample opportunity for Diaz to prove his worth to the team.
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