Dodgers' Closer Diaz Aims to Make History in 2026 World Series

Veteran reliever seeks to be the one to record the final out, challenging traditional closer role

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:08am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion, with the ball as the central focus, conveying the intensity and drama of a high-stakes moment in the game.A cubist interpretation of a closer's final pitch, capturing the tension and drama of a World Series-clinching moment.Los Angeles Today

Edwin Diaz, the Los Angeles Dodgers' new $69 million closer, has his sights set on making history by recording the final out of the 2026 World Series. This would break the Dodgers' recent trend of having a starting pitcher finish their championship runs. Diaz believes his postseason experience and fearless mentality make him the perfect candidate to take on this high-pressure role, but some question whether a closer's importance is overemphasized compared to other high-leverage relievers.

Why it matters

The Dodgers have won three championships in the last six years, but each time they've entrusted the final out to a starting pitcher. Diaz's quest to be the one to record the last out of the 2026 World Series challenges this tradition and raises questions about the evolving role of the closer in modern bullpen strategy.

The details

Diaz, a three-time All-Star, signed a $69 million deal with the Dodgers in December. He's aiming to stabilize a bullpen that struggled with inconsistency last season, with closers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates faltering under pressure. Diaz's postseason experience, including stifling the Dodgers' lineup across 5⅓ scoreless innings in the 2024 NLCS, has the team confident he can thrive in high-leverage situations. Manager Dave Roberts expects Diaz to have a major impact, allowing the team to deploy other relievers like Scott in more strategic, high-leverage spots earlier in games.

  • Diaz signed a $69 million deal with the Dodgers in December.
  • The Dodgers have won three championships in the last six years, with the final out recorded by a starting pitcher in each instance.

The players

Edwin Diaz

A three-time All-Star closer who signed a $69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December, aiming to record the final out of the 2026 World Series and rewrite the team's recent tradition of having a starting pitcher finish their championship runs.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who expects Diaz to have a major stabilizing impact on the team's bullpen and allow them to deploy other relievers in more strategic, high-leverage situations.

Tanner Scott

A left-handed reliever for the Dodgers who struggled as a closer last season, but is expected to be used in more specialized, high-leverage spots earlier in games with Diaz anchoring the ninth inning.

Kirby Yates

A reliever who also struggled as a closer for the Dodgers last season, contributing to the team's bullpen instability.

Roki Sasaki

A rookie sensation who emerged as an unlikely savior for the Dodgers' bullpen in the postseason, but relying on a breakout star is not a sustainable plan.

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What they’re saying

“Every player's ultimate goal is to win a ring. If I'm the one throwing that last pitch? It's a dream come true.”

— Edwin Diaz

“It's huge. Using Tanner in high-leverage spots flexes his strengths—and ours.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager

“He's fearless. Facing him feels like stepping into a phone booth with Superman.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager

“Postseason baseball? Roles fly out the window. You pitch when your number's called—sixth, seventh, ninth. Whatever it takes to win.”

— Edwin Diaz

“This group? We're built to dominate.”

— Blake Treinen, Veteran Reliever

What’s next

The Dodgers will be closely watched this season to see if Diaz can stabilize the bullpen and potentially record the final out of the 2026 World Series, breaking the team's recent tradition.

The takeaway

Diaz's quest to be the one to record the final out of the 2026 World Series challenges the traditional closer role and raises questions about the evolving importance of relievers in modern bullpen strategy. His experience and fearless mentality make him a prime candidate, but the Dodgers will need to balance his usage to avoid the same bullpen instability that plagued them last season.