I am usually limited in my criticism of Dave Roberts, but not in this game. It is not like Roki Sasaki has been overworked. He threw 11 pitches on October 1 (9 strikes), and 11 pitches on October 4 (9 strikes). This is the playoffs. When you have a team down, you finish it.
This is not the 2024 version of Blake Treinen. He is a roll of the dice, and tonight it came up snake eyes. He had a 4-1 lead, had to face three batters, and that is all he faced. Single, double, double, 2 runs, runners on 2nd, nobody out. Roberts brough in Vesia to walk a tightrope and keep the runner on 2nd. The Dodgers pulled off the play of the game, and it could be the play of Divisional Series. With the slow-footed Nick Castellanos on 2nd, Bryson Stott laid down a bunt. Muncy charged hard, and Mookie sprinted to 3rd. Muncy threw a strike to Mookie to tag out Castellanos.
Vesia had temporarily restored order, that did not even last into the next hitter. Harrison Bader hit a 93.4 MPH 4-seamer up in the zone for a single putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Vesia stayed in the game to face LH hitting Max Kepler. Kepler hit a ground ball to Freddie who got the runner out at 2nd. With runners on 1st and 3rd, and now 2 outs. Roberts summoned Sasaki to face Trea Turner. On the 2nd pitch, Turner hit a ground ball to Edman at 2B who spiked his throw to Freeman at 1B. Freddie dug it out, and the Dodgers pulled out an ugly win, 4-3.
It may have ended ugly, but it started out as a GREAT pitcher’s duel. Blake Snell and Jesús Luzardo put on a show. Snell allowed 1 hit in 6 innings. He did his usual 4 BB, but never allowed them to score. He struck out 9. That is back to back post season starts with 9 Ks.
This is why the Dodgers signed Blake Snell.
Luzardo had a traffic in the 1st inning. With runners on 1st and 3rd, Luzardo retired Freddie and Tommy Edman. Freddie and Edman were the first two of 17 consecutive outs by Luzardo. A single by Teo and double by Freddie put runners on 2nd and 3rd to open the 7th. Orion Kerkering replaced Jesús Luzardo. After Edman K’d, Kiké Hernández hit a high hopper to Trea Turner who threw home. The throw was just a hair offline, and enough for Teo to sneak in. Kiké reached 1B and Freddie moved to 3rd. Muncy walked to load the bases with one out. Pages popped out for the 2nd out.
Will Smith had PH for Rortvedt in the 6th, but came up this time with the bases juiced and 2 outs. He stroked a 2-run single into LC and a 3-0 lead. Muncy moved up to 3rd and scored on an Ohtani single, increasing the lead to 4-0.
Emmet Sheehan entered in the 7th and retired all 3 batters on 9 pitches. In that cursed 8th, Max Kepler softly lined an 0-2 slider that was off the plate (inside and low) and somehow Kepler kept it fair and into the corner that Pages played into a triple. Trea Turner singled to score Kepler. Sheehan struck out Schwarber, and got Bryce Harper to hit a routine F8.
Now before the arrows start to fly at Sheehan, his pitch to Kepler was excellent, but Kepler’s hit was better. And Turner is the NL Batting Champ who knows how to hit. The Phillies are a very good hitting team. They are allowed to get hits. Getting Schwarber and Harper got them out of the way for the 9th. It was all set up for Sasaki in the 9th, until it wasn’t.
Teo had another multi-hit game going 2-3 with a BB. In the playoffs, he is now 7-17 with a double, 3 HR, and 9RBI. He has hit in his last 9 post season games, going 16-41. For the 9 games, Teo is crushing .390/.419/.732/1.151.
Will Smith came up with a big hit, and 2 key 2-out RBIs. He looks ready to assume his rightful spot as the starting catcher.
Shohei with a blistering run scoring single, but another 2 Ks.
Max Muncy had a double and BB. If the Phillies decide to pitch Aaron Nola on Wednesday, Muncy will be starting. If it is Ranger Suarez, we will have to wait and see.
I do not know how Roberts can possibly trust Treinen in a high leverage situation here on out. Maybe the Dodgers should just load the bullpen with starting pitchers, because the relievers are a real adventure.
Nevertheless, LAD took two from Philadelphia in their yard…the toughest park for an away team to win. The Dodgers are now 7-2 in their last 9 road games.
The Dodgers have scored at least 4 runs in 13 consecutive postseason games. That’s tied with the 1970-71 Orioles for the longest such streak in postseason history.
The Dodgers survived a Treinen meltdown. The Dodgers bullpen was better than the Phillies. And they get their Ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, to go for the NLDS win on Wednesday. I like their chances.
I wouldn’t have used Treinen but I understand the move. Sheehan is going to need to be available for multiple games so one could argue that not having him pitch the ninth had merit.
Treinen has been good recently, so bringing him in also had merit. One can also argue that if the Dodgers are going to win the WS, they are going to need more than Sasaki, Vesia and Sheehan. Unfortunately it’s looking like that now. There is also the issue of over exposure of your bullpen pieces. That all said, I’d have kept Sheehan in.
Yup, they need more effective bullpen pieces to win a 7-game series
Truth. Truth also is that Castellanos’ hit was pure luck. He barely got wood on that pitch. But it is what it is. They won and that is all that matters.
I think the Phillies are dead at this point. I think the Dodgers sweep them on Wednesday. All of the pressure was on Philly. All the Dodgers needed to do was split the first two, and they had already won game 1. No team wants to go down 0-2 having to play games 3 and 4 on the road. Now the Dodgers are clearly in the driver’s seat.
Great job all around. The fielding has been excellent. They’re making plays, and smart veteran plays. The play at third, the other play with Rojas sliding head first into third. The pick by Freddie in the ninth.
Im learning a lesson here, it doesnt matter what you do in the regular season. It doesnt matter how many regular season games you win. 93 wins, not getting the first round bye. Means nothing at this point. Just get in the dance, and play well.
The Dodgers should trust Sasaki more, but it looks like they are a little gunshy about using Sasaki as a closer. Treinen is old and used up. Don’t go to him on Wednesday.
9 more wins.
So when can we expect your 26 meltdown and blow it all up post?
That was just the pitching staff, but don’t expect me to post that until next year. But every time I do post it, they start winniing games. You’re welcome.
We’re all grateful!
First time they lose a game they should have won.
What about Kershaw Sheehan Vesia Wobiski Drury Banda Trienan Sasaki thats the late inning relievers ans teenie only pitches if he pitches well against a hitter he has succes with. The starters ohtani Snell Yokohama Glasnow will pitch six or seven innings but these pitchers are the ones to use cant trust Scott and now Trienan but he kind of sees get up for the playoffs like kike does.
More like the infielders & Sasaki bailed ROBERTS out. The Dodgers really are walking a tightrope with the SP’s, Vesia, Sheehan, and Sasaki (and maybe Kersh) as the only pitchers they can count on. The starters must continue to go deep into games to cover the thin bullpen.
So far it’s worked ..but please Roberts, no more brain farts.
Great win Snell was excellent Sasaki came through it appears the only thing that can can sink this team is Roberts. Dont count the Phillies dead yet just but the final nail in the coffin and on to the Blue Crew
With another day off, I’m thinking that the Rortvedt-Smith piggyback strategy will be shelved. It’s better to have Smith bat 4 or 5 times a game, in the middle of the lineup, than just a couple times late in the lineup.
And I don’t think we’ll see Treinen for a while… perhaps because Roberts will want to give Tanner Scott a chance.
I just want to savor this win a little bit more, perhaps because the Dodgers did it with superior defense and generally clutch play.
So many good bang-bang plays.
–Rojas snaring the shot to 3B and diving to the bag just a couple inches ahead of Trea’s oven mitt.
–Smith nearly gunning down Trea stealing 2B. Mookie couldn’t quite handle the short hop, but the throw was there.
–Snell picking off Marsh. Not a close play but a fine one.
–“The wheel,” with perfect execution from Max and Mookie.
–Teo beating Trea’s slightly off-target throw to the plate on Kike’ swinging, broken-bat bunt. With a good throw, it’s an easy out.
–Teo getting thrown at 2B after some ill-advised hustle.
–And finally Roki getting Trea, the NL batting champ!, to ground out…with Freddie catching the off-target, short-hop throw from Edman to finish it.
Anyone else besides me think TOMMY EDMAN was choking on the ball he threw to Freddie to get the final out? Even though Trea was the runner he had so much time to settle himself down and then toss it over. You can see how long it took for Trea to reach 1st base…it wasn’t like it was a close play.
And I might as well complete my concern about him regarding his fielding. Castellanos should have been out at 2B because the throw clearly beat him to the bag. Tommy just swiped his glove PAST THE BAG allowing Castellanos to get in before Tommy could swipe backwards.
Not meaning to dis Tommy because I love him, but I’m wondering maybe we should make sure Rojas is in the field more and Tommy less, especially in clutch innings. Rojas hits just as well too, or so it seems to me. I’m not sure Tommy has played much 2B in his career.
I KNOW, WE WON, RELAX TENNIS…..but I can’t help thinking what if Freddie didn’t make that incredible catch and they tied it up? What a shame….
Well he did, it looked to me like Edman was trying to guide the ball instead of just throwing it to first. Freeman is a superior defensive first baseman, he has saved countless throws this year in the same manner.
Actually Tommy has played enough at 2B to get a GG there (2021). Even GG players make errant throws at times.
But Freddie DID make that catch.
Edman made a crucial error last year in the World Series, but LA overcame it.
Even seasoned pros feel the pressure. I’m more than fine with Tommy at 2nd
Willie Davis, 3 errors in one inning, 66 World Series.
Man, how do you remember that far back? I didn’t even remember Edman’s crucial error last year in the WS. Sheesh….getting old is such a bummer….
Treinen had pitched well recently. I don’t fault Roberts for going to him. That said, unless it’s a blowout I wouldn’t go to him again.
“Maybe the Dodgers should just load the bullpen with starting pitchers, because the relievers are a real adventure.”
Yep. I said a while back the Dodgers wouldn’t win a championship with their bullpen. They had no closer, Yates and Scott had sucked begonias and are currently invisible, and the others tried were hit and miss. And now Sheehan, Glasnow and Kershaw are in the pen and a rookie who hasn’t pitched all year is the closer. Can it work? As long as Snell, Ohtani and Yamamoto are going 6-7, yeah, it can work. But please, score 5 or more so we can stay in to the end.
What happened to your 8?
Lowered his expectations for the post season.
DAVE ROBERTS STILL SHOULD BE HORSE WHIPPED FOR SENDING IN TREINEN INSTEAD OF SASAKI. HOW DUMB WAS THAT?
I hope our smart people in the front office pull him aside today and tell him he absolutely has to pitch Sasaki in a 9th inning when we are leading. In no way is he to insert anyone before Sasaki in the 9th with a lead.
I was screaming at the TV and even thought he must want Philly to win because he owed someone in that organization big time and now was paying his debt.
How can anyone insert TREINEN or SCOTT in a save situation after the month of September they both had? And I don’t care about that one inning Treinen had against the mediocre Reds.
oh, and by the way, anyone besides me think Ohtani is not our go to guy when we need a clutch hit? Last year he was abysmal (maybe slightly injured though) and so far this year with the exception of one big RBI hit, has been worse than useless, including 4Ks in one game. It now seems apparent to me that he will not even come close to getting a hit if he is facing a top tier LHP, like Sanchez. I know we can’t keep him on the bench, but if he has to face Sanchez again in game 5, I can’t help but feel he is an automatic out.
sorry to rant like this….I’m still pretty shook by Roberts’ unforgivable decision that any baseball novice would know is pretty lame.
That’s a little harsh. Chastised for a bad decision maybe.
Yes, it was……but how do you not go back with Sasaki? Go with the guy who can throw 102 with movement. Treinen’s curve ball can be exposed.
I have already said my piece about Roberts. Same as regular season still experimenting never going for the jugular.
interesting interview though. Max was interviewed and said it was Mookie idea to do the wheel play. Freddie kind of said the same thing no mention of Roberts on either one. They interviewed Roberts and he said he went out there and told them to do the wheel play. Either way we will take it and it was crucial but Roberts didn’t mention Mookie. For all the crap Muncy gets about defense that was a huge play. And Freddy on the last play just clutch and reward for the work he puts in.
the Phillies are a great team and will not lay down. Obviously, the Dodgers are in the drivers seat but when the game is in hand I hope Roberts will go for the jugular.
That was the same pitcher who last year in game five of the World Series pitched 2.1 scoreless innings just to keep them in the game. Granted, he has not been exactly the same guy this season, but he is not an experiment. He is a seasoned veteran who more often than not has come up big for LA in the playoffs. He deserves some respect. He has pitched exceptionally in the post season for the Dodgers. He had 2 wins and a save in last year’s World Series. At 37 this is most likely his last season, just like last year was Hudson’s last year.
I do respect treinen. He is a good Christian man and was great in the playoffs last year. I was referring to Roberts. The biggest game of the year, a chance to go 2-0 on the road. U can’t worry about we have to have someone else pitch later. U got to go with the hot hand! Treinen is not the hot hand Sasaki is. That was a no brainer. Sasaki might have gotten knocked out but I guarantee 90 percent of Dodger fans paying attention wanted Sasaki in there. All too often Roberts has a chance clamp the throat of an opponent instead he starts managing. Just my opinion, when he went to Urias over Jansen I praised him. That also was a no brainer. I was referring to roberts not treinen. I am for using treinen but not with a chance for a 2-0 lead in Philly n Sasaki available. If we had lost I would have absolutely pinned the loss on Roberts. That might have changed the whole series.
Just because fans think they know more than Roberts and want him to make certain moves, doesn’t mean they are the right ones. They won, and that is the only thing that matters.
Sasaki ( and Vesia) can not be expected to be the closer for 11 straight games. Someone else needs to be able to pitch 9th inning sometimes. So I think a good time was yesterday with the 3 run lead. As for talking about Scott. It seems he will not be used in ANY game when we have the lead. Didn’t even pitch when we were up 10-2. So he is just a mop up guy now
And for Duke, still stressing on Smith not starting. He is playing with a broken hand!!! Don’t you think he would start if he was physically able. Both he and Roberts has said that the best plan would be for him NOT to catch the whole game. We can have our opinions, but when the team has already answered that I think it has been answered.
I’m not sure that Sasaki bailed out Vesia. Vesia, thanks to the wheel play, got 2 critical outs in the 9th.
In Treinen defense, he made a great pitch to Castellanos and somehow Castellanos lunged and with a one handed swing, got the bat on the ball.
Despite all that, Dave Roberts’ team bailed him and his idiotic decision to overthink the 9th inning. Sasaki had a day off, and will have another day off day. He was more than available to throw the 9th. Sheehan was more than available to continue into the 9th.
Doc tried over managing, and this time Mookie, Max, Vesia, and Freddie got the save.
However, from a fan standpoint, I’m sure that was a great 9th inning to watch. Bottom line, we won. Now Yamamoto can finish this, especially if the bats can get to Nola early.
Bobby, I like how you said Roberts’ TEAM bailed him out. It takes 26, and the Dodgers 26 is better than any other team, including Philadelphia and Milwaukee. Sometimes the play is bad. Sometimes bad decisions. Everybody needs to pick everyone up. That is what makes a team, and that is what Playoff Baseball is.
Sometimes it takes 27 if the Manager is included
AS for Saaski being rested. OK.But it is still a new role for him. And not just being rested. Its showing a different look. How many ‘lockdown’ closers have failed in the playoffs when you trot them out there every game.? You can’t fool them all the time. As for Castellano hitting a real good pitch? Well if he was just looking for the heater, he would have flailed away and missed by a mile.
Nola started the season badly but has been red hot lately. That is why they are starting him. Plus mb they are thinking let’s try a righty. That puts Muncy in the game.
Not much has been said but Smith got a crucial hit last night. I know he was our best hitter this year but it sure has been nice him coming up in the 9 hole. I’m not suggesting he bat 9th but we could use an opener at catcher and bring in Smith later lol.
Maybe better off with Muncy. Rojas limped off. Can he even play?
Rojas is day to day with a hammy issue according to reports this morning.
I agree :At some point Dodgers will have to use Scott, Banda, Dreyer etc. in some kind of leverage situations.
Treinen IMHO has played himself off of the roster. I would rather see them bring in Casparius right away.
No faith in Treinen at all.
That call by Mookie for the wheel play was the decider in this game.
What an allround HOF player he is.
My heart almost stopped on the last play of the game. WTF Edman !
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Casparius hasn’t pitched since he was in AAA His last appearance in a major league game was September 5th against the Orioles. I would think he would be a wee bit rusty at this point not throwing to hitters since the last week of September. Casparius is not even on the roster, so not possible for him to pitch. These are the pitchers behind the starters Doc could use. Sheehan, Vesia, Kershaw, Treinen, Dreyer, Banda, Scott, Sasaki. They are left-handed heavy because more of the Phillie’s power comes from their lefties. He used Treinen because the three hitters coming up were all right-handed.
I guarantee you that Casparius, Wrobleski, Henriquez, and Knack are all pitching. They are not eligible for the NLDS, but they may be eligible in the NLCS, assuming they win one of the next 3 games. Hopefully Yama will keep it going and LAD can wrap it up on Wednesday.
Gut churning last couple of innings for sure. But those are the games you have to win. Freddies bailout of Tommy Tanks bad throw was up there with Muncy’s throw to third as the play of the game. They are in the driver’s seat, need to finish it on Wednesday. Which by the way is the opening day for the NHL, Kings are playing in Vegas. Brewers are 2-0 on Chicago. If LA wins, looks like a trip to Milwaukee will be on tap.
NHL opening tonight. Colorado at Kings tonight
Ah, tomorrow must be their first TV games.
Kings game will be on espn tonight
Our ‘weaknesses’ Defense and having no closer. So far so good
Using Dean as a defense replacement This guy scares me in center field
Me too
He loses his footing seemingly everytime he moves. Even on routine flys he acts like he loses flight of the ball. Idk what they c in him but he has done something to convince them.
Dean is actually a very good defensive OF. I assume you did not see any of his games at OKC. I saw several dozen, and he made some outstanding plays. Is everyone so sure that ball that he slid in front of doesn’t get by Pages, like the ball did in RF? I am not so sure.
I assume he is a good outfielder or they wouldn’t have him up he just seems like he is trying too hard. The one ball he dove for I thought should have been caught. It hit the heel so he misjudged it. Other times he slips before he gets going. Idk he just makes me nervous watching him. I have only seen him have one tough ball n he missed it. But I am rooting hard for him.
He looks tentative to me.
Grass was wet.
I want to thank Roberts for making the game exciting, memorable, intriguing, and entertaining.
Had he left Sheehan in to finish the game he would have cheated us out of a heart pounding finish and our love for Betts, Freeman, and Max would not have jumped another notch.
I could have lived without the drama.
Such a glass half full, positive gentleman!
MLBTR has posted the expected arbitration salaries for next year. Dodgers have 9 players eligible. Players and projected salary: Graterol 2.9 M, Gonsolin 5.4 M, Phillips 6.1 M, Vesia 4.1 M. LA holds a 3.55 Team option with a 50K buyout, Banda 1.7 M, Stewart 1.4 M, Rortvedt 1.4 M, Grove 800K, Call 1.5 M.
I would think that Gonsolin is a non-tender candidate. He certainly would be more than a consideration on many teams. With the Dodgers.maybe they have no problem with $5.4MM, but where does he line up with the LAD roster. He has no options. He will be a FA after 2026 season. Can they convince him his best option (at least with LAD) is in the bullpen? With Ohtani, Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, Sasaki, Sheehan, Stone, Ryan, Wrobleski, and Casparius, where does he slot in with that group?
I think you are absolutely right and the Cat Man will be non-tendered. I could see it happening to the oft injured Graterol too and Grove.
Gonsolin had an internal brace procedure with flexor cleanup on Aug 12th. There is an 8-10 month timetable for his return.
He will probably not be available until May at the earliest and most likely not until June or July. I think he is a non tender.
Agreed. I think we’ve seen the last of Gonsolin in Dodger Blue. Being a Catman fan, I think a non-tender, although it would cost him some $, would probably be best for his career, long term.
Because being a free agent would be preferable to him than being traded? I assume he has no options, and if he stays with the Dodgers, he would have to take a spot on the 26.
With his injury history I’m not sure anyone would take his salary for next year, therefore the non-tender instead of a trade.
A lot of cheap talent
There are 3 things that folks think they can do better than the folks that are actually doing them; 1. Run a bar 2. Write a book 3. and Manage a baseball team.
I’ve certainly been one who has criticized Doc when I thought he made a mistake in judgement. There is so much data available, perhaps too much, that a Skipper needs to consider that few decisions are based on gut feeling in the moment. The job ain’t easy.
I have enjoyed Doc sticking with his starting pitching to milk out one more inning.
Snell was wonderful. I like Sheehan getting the next call. But I have to say I felt trepidation when Treinen was called in for the 9th. I know he was better against the Reds and there were hopes he’d continue to be better than during the regular season. He wasn’t.
I’m not sure who else Doc was to go to with the lead after Sheehan. He apparently wanted a right hander and went with Treinen. His other options besides Sasaki were all lefties in Kershaw, Banda, Dreyer and God Forbid, Scott. It appears Doc was reluctant to go straight to Sasaka, for reasons unknown to me, Perhaps fear of overwork.
That’s not a fear for the Mariners who seem to go with the same 4 back-end guys every game; Spier, Bazardo, Brash and Munoz.
Doc choose not to do that with Sasaki and wanted to spread the duties. It might be nice if Treinen didn’t shit the bed and actually did his job.
The Phillies’ Skipper, Rob Thompson, is being taken to the woodshed for bunting Stott in the 9th with Castellanos on 2nd, trying to get the tying run to 3rd with 1 out. It didn’t work.
The Phillies’ press had multiple reasons why that was a poor decision. They too can with a book and run a bar.
We flashed some nice D. Muncy and Mookie made an absolutely terrific wheel play. A play I hated as a SS. Had Muncy thrown the ball into left field or Mookie not getting to 3rd on time, there would be an entirely different story being written and Thompson might be celebrated for his genius.
And had Freddie not made that super pick on the tweener hop to end the game, there may be more points to second guess.
By the way, Edman looked tentative all game throwing to 1st base. Put Miggy there (hopefully he’s not injured). See I can second guess too.
But that’s baseball.
Enough with the baseball. I want some lessons on how to run a bar.
Hire a good honest manager. Don’t sit around with your friends and give shit away. Watch for goods slipping out the back door.
Oh yeah, and don’t forget to budget for expenses you didn’t’t know existed. Like paying for Music copyrights to Ascap and BMI. They always win.
https://www.barmetrix.com/blog/owning-a-bar
You left out the other righty option Roberts had– Sheehan.
I didn’t leave him out, he pitched.
He was more than likely available to pitch the 9th is what Bums meant,and Bums is correct
So you guys think Sheehan could have been saved for the 8th or 9th innings and not following Snell?
i love Sheehan and I see his role as a middle innings piece who can go multiple innings if needed.
i don’t see his role as a closer.
am I misunderstanding something here?
I see Sheehan’s use the same as you. He should be able to throw 2-3 innings to get to the 9th where the high leverage relievers need to take over. Vesia is the guy Doc likes to use to get out of trouble. He has, far and away, inherited more runners than any other reliever. Banda and Dreyer are 6th and 7th inning pitchers that Sheehan and Glasnow have taken their spots thus far. That leaves Sasaki, Treinen, and Scott as the designated closers. Doc is going to have to use Scott at some point. Doc went into the playoffs trusting Treinen the most, and he still trusts him. Doc has learned to trust Sasaki, and I think he will lean on him.
I personally felt Sheehan could’ve pitched a 3rd inning (he is a starter, after all), and gotten a 3 inning save. I also felt he was, especially after getting Schwarber and Harper to end the 8th, a better option in the 9th than Treinen.
I enjoy dumping on Roberts more than most, but I didn’t find that much fault with his choices. As others have said, it’s a long postseason and he needs everyone involved.