There isn’t a Dodger fan out there who is not fully aware of the mid-season speed bump that 34-year-old Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen hit. In fact, during the month of July, the 6′-5″ / 265-pound right-hander allowed eight earned runs in 7.2 innings pitched for an unsightly (and un-Kenley-like) 9.39 ERA. Since then, however, the extremely popular Willemstad, Curacao native has been ‘Lights Out,’ as they say.

Jansen finished the regular season with a combined 4-4 record, 38 saves, and outstanding 2.22 ERA which, of course, would have been even better but for that July hiccup.

It gets better.

In the combined seven games in which Jansen has appeared this postseason, he is 2-0 and has not allowed a run – earned or otherwise – and only two hits, while striking out 12 and walking none.

“This is as good as I’ve seen Kenley Jansen pitch in my time here with the Dodgers,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters during Friday’s off-day Zoom media session. “Personally, (Jansen’s success this season and postseason) means a lot, looking back a year ago where I don’t think that he felt the confidence that he feels now. And I think that he really understands the fact that we want him to throw the last pitch of 2021. But up to that point, he’s available to help us win that particular night.

“And so, he’s our closer, but there’s certain times I’m going to go to him in different spots, and he’s embraced that,” Roberts added.

If Jansen indeed throws “…the last pitch of 2021,” it could very well be his last pitch in a Dodgers uniform, as his current five-year/$80-million contract ends at the conclusion of the 2021 season, and it is uncertain whether or not Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman would be willing to re-sign him for what figures to be a rather lofty contract. Then again, if Jansen would be willing to give Friedman and the Dodgers a reasonable ‘hometown discount,’ it could happen.

Stay tuned…

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