2013 Dodgers review: Ronald Belisario

Ronald Belisario had his ups and he had his downs in 2013. Here is a look back at the season for the Dodgers' setup man.

What went right

Belisario had a two-month stretch from mid June to mid August that mostly coincided with the Dodgers winning at an 80% clip for over 10 weeks. In 30 games from June 16 to Aug. 20, Belisario allowed four runs (two earned runs) with 22 strikeouts and seven walks in 23⅔ innings.

After a rough start, Belisario allowed just two of 26 inherited runners to score over the final four months of the season.

Belisario was durable for the Dodgers in 2013, tied for third in the major leagues with 77 appearances, the most by a Dodger since Jonathan Broxton and Joe Beimel each pitched in 83 games in 2007. Since missing all of 2011 with visa problems stemming from a positive cocaine test, Belisario has been Mr. Reliable, 10th in the majors with 145 games pitched in the last two years.

What went wrong

Among the 164 pitchers in 2013 with at least 40 relief appearances, Belisario's .352 on-base percentage allowed ranked 152nd.

In the first two months of the season Belisario allowed 11 of 17 inherited runners to score.

Belisario allowed 11 runs in his final 14 games, with a 7.43 ERA and eight walks against just three strikeouts in his last 13⅓ innings of the regular season. It was part of an up-and-down season for Belisario and, ignoring for a moment his 2011 missed campaign, part of a Saberhagenian pattern for Belisario in his career, especially in ERA and strikeouts.

Belisario tied with J.P. Howell for the team lead by pitching in seven playoff games, but allowed three runs in 3⅔ innings.

Also, Belisario provided us these highlights:

2014 status

Belisario is arbitration eligible this winter and will likely top $2 million next year after making $1.45 million in 2013.