There is a special kind of electricity in late-season baseball, the kind where every pitch looks heavier and every inning tells a larger story than the scoreboard alone can show. The air carries excitement and tension, as dreams of October glory hover just out of reach. For one rising talent in the Dodgers, this is not just another summer grind. It is a mission. A mission shaped by last season’s lessons, fueled by a hunger to prove that when the postseason lights come on, the star belongs right there in the middle of it.
That mission? For Bobby Miller, it is crystal clear — fight his way back to the big-league roster and secure a position in the postseason bullpen. The 26-year-old flamethrower is not shy about it, either. “Of course. That’s definitely the goal,” Miller said, recalling the electric environment with the Dodgers last October. He appeared in one playoff game with a 16.20 ERA. With only a small taste of postseason action in the rookie season, Miller knows exactly what is at stake and exactly how much he wants back in.
However, wanting it and earning it are two distinctive ball games. He understands the grind better than most. Last season, the Dodgers utilized almost 40 pitchers to navigate injuries and depth issues, proof that scope can knock when you least expect it. That is why the star is locked in daily, putting in the work and keeping his name ready to be called. “Getting up there is a lot harder than staying there,” the star admits; however, Miller’s thought process is simple — stay sharp, ready, and ensure that the call comes when the games matter most.
Part of staying ready is understanding the mental switch between starting and coming out of the bullpen — and Miller knows the 2 sides. “To get your adrenaline going a little bit more versus as a starter, you kind of got to stay cool,” Bobby Miller said on Dodgers Nation. That rush, combined with his 100-mph fastball and hip-hop-fueled pregame energy, makes the star a dangerous weapon in October. The crowd roar only adds to the fire, and he is already imagining what it would be like to harness that in a packed postseason game.
Of course, the pressure is not just related to the moment — it is related to the mental toughness to bounce between 50,000 screaming fans and the quieter grind of preparation.
While the 26-year-old’s eyes are fixed firmly on reclaiming his postseason role, the team has been busy ensuring the Dodgers’ October arsenal is as sharp as possible — and the team’s current move brought back a familiar face to the bullpen.
Shock trade ahead of deadline
Brock Stewart knows a thing or two about the unpredictable nature of baseball, but even he didn’t see this one coming. “I was a little shocked,” the 33-year-old reliever admitted after learning he was headed back to the Dodgers from the Twins. For Stewart, the surprise wasn’t about landing in Dodger blue — it was about how fast the trade came together during Minnesota’s deadline fire sale.
This is his second tour with the Dodgers, a homecoming of sorts after first debuting with the team in 2016 and making 36 appearances before a waiver claim by the Jays in 2019. The star fought his way back to the Dodgers on a minor league deal in 2021; however, injuries — including a rough run with elbow issues in 2023 and shoulder troubles in 2024 — derailed his momentum. Still, when healthy, he has been nothing short of dominant. In 2023, the star posted a microscopic 0.65 ERA with 39 strikeouts to just 11 walks, proving his stuff plays at the highest level.
The data this season for the Twins were just as convincing: a 2.38 ERA across 39 outings. Opposing hitters averaged just 87 mph exit velocity against him — another top-tier mark that makes the star a powerful October weapon. Sure, Brock Stewart’s first 2.2 innings back in the Dodgers have been bumpy; however, if he finds his Twins groove, the Dodgers could have a seasoned, swing-and-miss reliever waiting in the wings when the lights get brightest.
It all comes down to readiness — whether it is a young star like Bobby Miller grinding daily for another shot at October glory or a veteran like Brock Stewart embracing an unexpected return to a familiar stage. The Dodgers, sitting atop the NL West, know that a World Series run is not just about star power; it’s about depth, resilience, and having the right stars peak at the right time. As the regular season winds down, every pitch, every appearance, and every bit of preparation matters. For Miller, Stewart, and the rest of this roster, the mission is clear: be ready when the call comes, because in October baseball, opportunity rarely knocks twice.
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