April 13th, 2019 at 10:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka There is no kind or gentle way to put it, right-hander Joe Kelly needs a break from the Dodgers.
…and vice versa.
In the 7.1 innings that the Anaheim, California native and eight-year MLB veteran has logged with the Dodgers through their first 15 games, Kelly has been nothing short of horrible. He has allowed 10 runs on 15 hits (including two home runs), while walking two and striking out six of the combined 38 batters he has faced thus far. And even though his current record is only 1-2, his earned run average is a team-worst 12.27.
Although Kelly was not charged with the 8-5 loss to the defending 2018 National League Central champion Milwaukee Brewers in Friday night’s rematch of Game-7 of the 2018 National League Championship Series, he was once again ineffective, allowing a 6-5 deficit become a 7-5 deficit; this despite the fact that the Dodgers slugged three home runs on the night. In his 1.1 innings pitched, Kelly allowed one run on three hits, while walking none and striking out one of the seven total batters he faced; not horrible numbers (this time), but definitely ineffective numbers.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
As most baseball fans know, it is not uncommon for teams to place struggling players, especially pitchers, on the Injured List for what is often called a “mystery injury.” In fact, the Dodgers are perhaps known for this practice more so than any other team in all of baseball. And while doing so might be considered unscrupulous or unprofessional by some, it is a practice employed by every team at one time or another, not necessarily to bury or hide a struggling player, but to legitimately help them get back on track – and make no mistake about it, Joe Kelly is way off track.
As if to add insult to injury (mystery or otherwise), the Dodgers are stuck with Kelly – the same guy who almost single-handedly beat them in the 2018 World Series – through the 2021 season (with a club option for 2022) to the tune of $25 million, with a $4 million buyout for that option year. And while this may not seem like a ton of money in a time when several players are making upwards of $300 million, it is certainly a lot of money for a guy who, quite frankly, isn’t getting it done.
Pull the trigger, Andrew. Joe Kelly needs a break from the Dodgers.
…and vice versa.
Play Ball!
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Posted in 
I’m sitting here enjoying my down time without Bubba watching Kelly’s performance last night, over and over and over…
I believe this is a rhythm issue, created by bad balance.
I’m just a fat man with nothing to do and have zero MLB experience…but after hanging a plumb bob off of his glove, down to his left toe…and keeping it there through-out his delivery.I have determined that he is tilting to left. On the pitch (curve) in the dirt, before he threw to the bag to check Yellich, he was severely tilted. The pitch that came after that, the one that drove in Yellich (change up) – ( slow catch and return to the infield by Joc) was to the left and high…which is where it would be if you were to far out of alignment. He has no consistency within his rhythm and doesn’t trust his stuff at the moment if you ask me.
He knows how to pitch…so, I think this is an easy fix that can be worked out with time.
A couple of times, he slowed his front foot, (as if a cleat was stuck in the dirt) I am assuming, to keep from getting ahead of himself.
I copied this from the other blog-site I frequent…
Bubba is my 3 year old grandson, whom I take care of 5 days a week. I have severe COPD, so he’s a hand full.
I tried watching without the plumb bob and it was hard to notice…but after watching him in last seasons WS. I am even more convinced that this is what ails him at the moment.
I reserve the right to be wrong though…
If Dodger4life is right, what can we do about it?
Give one of the games top notch pitching coaches time to address and fix the problem. I was talking about the bully in general. Joe may benefit from a reset? But are we certain there are better options?
OBF – Do you have your rally cap on tonight?
I think it’s going to take more than a rally cap.
They do need more then that.. It wouldn’t hurt to help them out a bit though. Enjoy the game OBF.
I am a huge Joe Kelly fan . Pitching coaches make a lot of money to coach and see problems that need fixing ! I am not sure what the pitching coach of the Dodgers is looking at but it seems to me that he needs to work and find what has happened to Joe and fix it ! If non professionals can see what is wrong ,why can’t he !!! The coach of the Red Sox saw what Joe needed to do and did it ! Maybe we need to re-evaluate the pitching staff of the Dodgers ! You can see that Joe looks frustrated and concerned which can have a lasting effect on a persons confidence. I’ll take him back in Boston anytime !
If that is the problem remember,last yr it took the pitching coach all season to get him squared away. And if that is what happened why did he revert back so quickly? The player has most of the responsibility to listen, learn,execute and replicate what they’re being coached, going all the way back to little league.
I have another theory that Kelly needs a pressure situation to perform well.