Up until the 9th inning of Monday’s game, I am not sure Doc did anything to warrant even a curious look, much less criticism. If you were to poll fans of all 30 MLB teams, every one of the fanbases will criticize the manager for his bullpen management. It is because most relievers are not always dependable. In the Dodgers’ case, that is without question. What is he supposed to do?
He could have left Sheehan in to pitch the 9th. He only threw 27 pitches in 2.0 innings. But he would have been facing Realmuto and Castellanos a 2nd time. It does not bother me, but it does bother the corporate algorithm nerds. If he was not going to let Sheehan finish it, IMO he should have brought in Sasaki to pitch the 9th.
When you have the Phillies down in their yard, don’t F around. Bury them. I have not seen anything from Sasaki to give me pause as to whether he should be brought in. This was the first time he inherited a runner, and he did not score (thank you Freddie). Check another box for the kid.
The Phillies were sending up 3 RH hitters before getting to a LH bat (Stott and Marsh). When the nerds dictate bullpen usage based on RH or LH bats coming up, Roberts was limited: Blake Treinen or Roki Sasaki. As Bear stated, Treinen has almost always come up big for the Dodgers in the Playoffs. In 32 games with LAD since 2020, Blake is 3-2, with 4 saves, and 6 holds. No blown saves. Last year in the WS, Blake had 2 wins and a hold in the 5 games. He was more than dependable in the WS.
This year is different for Treinen. I have no clue what the problem is. His sweeper has not been getting the swing and miss that he used to. I know that he has been bitten by a lot of weak hits, but hits, nonetheless. As others have said, the pitch that Castellanos hit for a double was an excellent pitch: a sweeper well out of the zone. It is a pitch that Castellanos whiffs at more than hits. If he did K, Vesia would have been called in to face Stott. We will never know how that might have turned out.
However, Treinen’s job in the 9th is to close it out, not get beat by fluke and weak hits. Even Mariano Rivera and Dennis Eckersley have made mistakes that cost them in big games.
The Dodgers playoff bullpen consists of 5 LHRP and 3 RHRP. They have used 1 LHRP, Alex Vesia in both games, and 3 RHRP, Roki Sasaki in both games, Emmet Sheehan and Blake Treinen in Game 2. In addition, LAD RHSP Tyler Glasnow pitched relief in Game 1. The four relievers who have not yet appeared in the NLDS are LHRP Anthony Banda, LHRP Jack Dreyer, LHRP Tanner Scott, LHSP Clayton Kershaw.
In relief, facing the top two LHB in the Phillies lineup, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, LAD used Emmet Sheehan (Game 2), and Tyler Glasnow (Game 1), both RHP.
Who does Doc trust? We have not seen Tanner Scott at all in the Playoffs. Does Doc trust him? We know Doc trusts Vesia and Sheehan. Vesia is the guy Doc goes to when they are in trouble. Vesia has been the go to guy with traffic. No LAD pitcher has inherited more runners. He has grown to trust Sasaki. We have to find out if he trusts Dreyer, Banda, and Kershaw (as a reliever). We are getting to games that are back-to-back, and the bullpen will need to be used.
There is no reason to play woulda, coulda, shoulda. The Dodgers’ pitching came through when needed the most, and the Dodgers won two in Philadelphia. What is there to complain about? There are always going to be Doc Haters. I am not one of them. He will make mistakes, but more times than not, his team picks him up.
Doc trusts Treinen, so I suspect he will come back with him. Let’s see who else he is going to trust.
My leanings are to get 6 from the starter and 3 from another starter.
Roki arrived in the nick of time.
Without Roki, I think we’d be hoping that Sheehan or Glasnow could close out games. Not bad options, but Roki is the real deal.
I expected better from Sheehan, but he really struggled in his first outing. In this last one I’d have kept him to start the 9th, with his exit TBD.
Hard to believe this was the same Treinen who struck out the side a few days back, part of that remarkable 9-K streak from the bullpen.
So when Treinen is good, he is very good….
From the left side, in Vesia we trust. It was supposed to be Tanner Scott. Will we see Scott in one of those “leverage” situations?
I’d love to see Kershaw have an opportunity for meaningful innings….
In related news, I’m really happy for the Yankees and especially Judge. They were down 6-1 early and it looked like they were facing an ugly collapse. I’ve always liked Judge–great player, good guy–so it’s nice to see him get some redemption after his postseason follies.
Happy for the Yankees?
Not me. I’d like to see Toronto advance.
Happy? Sure but would be happier if Jays advance.
You must be ecstatic right now. Wonder if they will finally fire Boone.
I don’t see how anyone can pin this on Boone. The Yankee pitching was terrible.
Haters gonna hate. I’ve heard that a lot over the years, don’t recall ever it saying myself, but, I feel it’s appropriate these days. A lot of that going around.
I don’t have a problem with the manager either. Apparently I have no baseball “savvy”. It’s the all time highest winning percentage behind his name, and the fact the Dodgers keep winning Division titles and making the playoffs year after year that stops me from going off on the manager. Personally I’m glad he’s there.
The Dodgers need to find a way to get the last 9 outs. The question for me remains, can they keep winning with this bullpen. I think it begins with having the lead going into the 7th. The bigger the better.
The Badger 8 run rule works for me.
That would have put us in extra innings. Who pitches the 10th? The 11th?
We needed 9 yesterday. Good luck with that.
Let Dreyer cook!
Philly fans going nuts. Makes us look like glass is full full fans! Love it! Blue Jays up 6-1 in game three sweep and now they could easily lose this series! Ouch
Yamamoto goes 7. Roki has the 9th. Who gets the 8th? It’s gonna be a lefty tonight. Kersh? Banda had a nice 2nd half of the year. One of these two
I can’t imagine Scott coming into any game that we are leading. When we were up 10-2 he wasn’t used. I think he is just a ‘mopup’ guy now for the rest of this year. Especially with starter going 6-7 innings.
At this point I’d rather see Scott Andes in there than Tanner Scott
I can be ready in short notice. I promise to strand as many runners as I can. Here’s the kicker though….
I’m a knuckleball pitcher. A knucklehead who throws a knuckleball. Just wait until it stops rolling.
I used to throw a two fingered knuckler that was thrown with a fastball delivery. It was unhittable when it worked. How often did it work? About as often as Glasnow finds the strike zone.
I think starter, starter, Roki is how we will need to win the big games. That said, I think our bullpen should perform better at home, so if we’re going to take chances by going off script, only do it at the Ravine!
Phillies fans piled on Schwarber after he failed to deliver when they needed it most. He is a FA after this season. Not sure he wants to return to a city where they pile on like that. Yankee fans again showed their lack of class when two idiots ran on the field during the game. Judge saved their season. Kings smoked 4-1 at home by the Avalanche. Me, I watched all four Lethal Weapon movies. A little nostalgia is good now and then.
Bear, as you know, the Philly fans are legendary for their brutality toward players when they fail. Very fickle fans.
They sat on their hands looking totally pissed last game until the rally in the 9th when they finally got fired up.
I think Kersch is trusted and a valuable piece out of the bullpen in a high leverage situation, along with Dreyer. We’ve yet to see either but I think they could get through a dreaded 8th inning with the right matchups.
John Smoltz and Joe Davis are doing the Yankees – Jays games on Fox. Last night there wasn’t 5 seconds between pitches when one of them wasn’t talking. I know they get paid to talk but each must get paid by the word.
Davis loves to fill air time with useless stats and Smoltz just rambles. If you really listen to what he says, it’s frequently nothing. I’m sure if you’re sitting around BSing with the family and not paying attention, his ramblings go unnoticed. But if you actually pay attention what he says, he talks in paragraphs that can last for multiple batters. He just rambles about bullshit.
Davis is used to Karros and Orel so Smoltz is just more white noise.
And we are going to get these 2 through the World Series.
Just for a viewer break, please understand that it’s okay to let the game breathe so STFU.
Anderson and Francour are no better.
Wow!
which was your fave? I think Lethal Weapon 2 was mine
Of course, now I’m too old for this shit
Love 2. But I think the third one is my favorite when he and Rene Russo hook up. Also love the guy who play’s Uncle Charlie in the fourth one. He was hilarious when in the dentist’s office on laughing gas. Of course, Pesci as Leo Getz is classic. I also watched a movie from 1940 called “The Fighting 69th”. Had Pat O’Brien, James Cagney, George Brent and Alan Hale Sr. About the Irish Brigade in WWI. Part historic, part Hollywood. Some real people were portrayed by O’Brien, Brent. Father F.P. Duffy, and William “Wild Bill” Donovan. Learned a little history I did not know. Also loved the fact that when Gibson made Maverick and had Glover in it as a bank robber, when they left the bank Glover said his line ” I’m too old for this shit.
Sure hope the Dodgers put this away tonight. Go Dodgers!!
Clutch by Banda! Huge!
Tough to watch Kersh go out like this!
3-1 game and Kersh was very lucky to get through the 7th inning. Should not have pitched in the 8th.
might have been a decent time to pitch Scott. Oh well thanks Kersh you were the one of the GOAT in my book.
Scott was unavailable. He had a personal matter to attend to. Kersh took one for the team. Not going to win many when the only guy hitting is the guy in the 9 hole. Blew a chance to score when Mookie tripled in the first. Teo had a bad AB striking out. Muncy hitting into a DP did not help either. Pages sometimes loves his arm too much. Ill-advised throw when he had no shot and it allowed runner to reach second then advance when his throw went into the dugout.
Again, another ó-fer for Ohtani (0-5). I’m pretty sure he will have another 0-4/5 tonight against Sanchez’ nasty stuff. It is pretty obvious, Ohtani is dominated by VERY GOOD lefties, like what many Philly pitchers are.
I know, I know, he is a 3 times MVP…..but not in any playoff series, when all the teams do not start ham and egg type #4 and #5 pitchers. Nope…the top 3 only and these guys are pretty good seeing their team made it to the playoffs.
Bottom line: Ohtani is no Kike in October.
I have long believed that Ohtani should hit lower in the order, especially on days he pitches. Betts is better as a leadoff hitter. Since Ohtani is not stealing as much, he should be slotted lower. If Doc wants the R-L dynamic, then his BA should be like this, Betts-Freeman-Smith-Ohtani-Teo-Muncy-Pages-Edman-#9 optional, Rojas-Kim-Kike.
I like it. I do believe though it would be important to get Ohtani up in the first inning. I hit him second on days he doesn’t pitch, maybe 4th or 5th on days he pitches.
I was hoping Kersh wouldn’t come out for the second inning. Was pretty lucky to escape first try
Dean has me rethinking my previous comment about his defense. Great catch against the center field wall .But he still sucks.
Why does he suck. He is a 5th OF. He is not a starter. He is a better CF than Pages, and Pages bat is not helping in the Post Season. He does not suck. He is what he is…a 5th OF who is a defensive replacement for the worst defensive OF in MLB.
Sucks may be a bit strong. I would say – we should be able to do better.
Dean is an exceptional defensive player. But the guy hasn’t had an at bat since OKC’s season ended. He hit .289 at AAA with 27 steals. He had exactly 2 at bats while with LA. You have no clue how he might have done had he been hitting regularly. And he did not even get to hit tonight, Rushing hit for him and struck out. Pages was ofer tonight, has just 1 hit in 19 at bats this postseason, and made a crucial throwing error that directly led to the Phillies scoring at least 2 runs. Dean does not suck. He also has no future with the Dodgers as he is 28 and will be a minor league free agent after the season. He is on the roster for his speed and his defense.
Seems to me that Dean is the least of the Dodgers problems.
Ugly game turned if off after Realmuto homered. Pages with an ill-advised throw. Had he just gone to second, they might have scored just two runs instead of three. That error cost them two runs. Offense stymied by Phils pitching. One thing I really dislike about the broadcast team, they don’t know history. Schwarber’s homer hit the roof. Stargell hit two over the roof in the 70’s and they knew nothing about it. Nor did they mention Piazza leaving the stadium or Stanton’s blast over the left field pavilion. They were just tossing names out there like Schmidt and McGuire, who never came close to leaving the stadium. I saw both of Stargell’s homers. One was off of Alan Foster, and the other was off of Andy Messersmith. Just win tomorrow. Don’t need to be going back to Philly.
Bear- I thought the same thing after schwarber’s rooftop homer and they were babbling about it being the only time it ever happened. I remember the Stargell homers- I think they were measured at over 500 feet. Don’t they have a statistician who would have dug around and given the broadcasters the right info since they were clearly guessing? Pretty bush league if you ask me.
They must not. I actually got Stargell’s autograph the night he slugged the homer off of Foster. He absolutely demolished that ball. Piazza’s ball cleared the back of the bullpen and landed on the walkway. Stanton’s shot cleared the left field pavilion’s roof, and they guessed it traveled about 490. Fernando Tatis Jr. hit one on the roof. Closest Schmidt ever came was high into the pavilion maybe four rows from the top. One other thing I noticed, they are very pro-Philadelphia. Everything was about the Phillies.
https://www.mlb.com/news/tanner-scott-not-available-nlds-game-3-personal-matter?adobe_mc=TS%3D1759965761%7CMCMID%3D27801567259699241357808424092460928057%7CMCORGID%3DA65F776A5245B01B0A490D44@AdobeOrg&affiliateId=mlbapp-ios_webview_news-index&rsid=mlbios.at.bat.new.implementation
It was sad to see Kershaw take one for the team. It is likely his last appearance as a Dodger. But, the Dodgers had another all-time great – Sandy Koufax – have a terrible last appearanced in the 1966 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles who became World Champs in that game. Of course, Willie Davis’ three errors in centerfield in one inning was a big factor. Sandy is still treated with reverance almost 60 years later – so will Clayton be!
We are up 2-1 so u would think we would be in the drivers seat. I really don’t have much confidence in Glasnow because he can’t throw strikes. Let’s face it no matter how many mvps Ohtani has he does not show up in the playoffs. Without him and freeman it’s an uphill battle. We can’t stop the Phillies running game and with Glasnow walking people n our offense looking sluggish it looks like game 5. At least Schwarber n Harper got their team going. Ohtani needs to step up but he has been dismal in the playoffs. Freddie can’t stay in the strike zone. Pages has been a total zero on offense n defense. The Dodgers need to score big today to have a chance. Af paid the big bucks for Glasnow in this spot. If he doesn’t produce today his future in LA is on the line.
Ohtani has been bad but he did drive in the winning run in game 2.
Well to state the obvious, that sucked. And to repeat myself – it will be the bullpen.
Yes, Ohtani, Freeman and Pages, 0 for 10, will be needed. But when you have to score 9 to win? Nope.
Put this one in the rear view and go finish it today.
Exactly. Momentum changes really fast in the playoffs. We of all fanbases know that.
Today might become a shootout, which would be fun for the rest of baseball and nerveracking for us.
Oh well, just go win.
Instant replay via TNT/TBS sucked.
I would have pinched hit for Muncy and maybe had better results than the DP. Rojas or Call against the dominant lefty.
Letting Kershaw go a second inning was cruel. He had nothing. It pumped up the Phillies and was a surrender that can hang over a team.
The Philly’s were wise to load up on Left’y knowing the WS must go through LA.
Imo if the Dodgers cant win 1 in LA their season will be over the Phils will have allthe mo. Doubt they lose 3 times at home. Better bring your a game today boys.
You’re probably right Sandy. They need to close it in LA. And scoring 2 runs won’t get it done. This team needs to score. Ohtani and Freddie need to get it in gear. Pages as well. He’s hitting .158. But, Ohtani is the leader of this offense. He needs to show up.
Glasno v Sanchez. Gulp.
I disagree about Ohtani being the leader of this offense. I think Betts is the leader and should be made Captain. He should hit leadoff followed by Freddie, Teo, and then Ohtani.
Ohtani is the classic cleanup hitter. If Doc can’t process that then at least maybe he will process it against lefties.
Edman steps up his game in the Post Season.
I agree. This is Mookie’s team.
Ohtani with a 6.6 oWAR. Betts a 3.2 oWAR. Not even close. Ohtani is the offensive leader of this team.
Not in the post season
Not yet.
I forgot Smith.
Betts, Freeman, Smith, Ohtani, Teo, Edman, Kike’, Muncy, Call
Ohtani 2025–RISP .247, bases loaded .100, bases empty .279
Some thoughts on last night:
*I certainly didn’t expect the Phillies to go away quietly. Keeping Schwarber and Harper and the top of that order in check is no easy deal. The top for the Phils went 8 for 16 while the top of the Dodger order went 2 for 16.
*It would help the Dodgers if Ohtani would show up.
*Yamamoto wasn’t at his best but still left only 2 runs down.
*It was hard to watch Kersch left in as a sacrificial lamb in the 8th. He miraculously wiggled off the hook in that weird 7th inning. As Norcaldodgerfan mentioned, it’s easy to second guess Doc letting him go back out for the 8th and choosing not to burn more pitching at Clayton’s expense.
*Dreyer finally pitched and looked great.
*Some defensive breakdowns by Muncy hurt. One on the gound-ball error.
I disagree with Bear about Pages’ throw being “ill-advised” He certainly has had some lapses in judgement but I don’t want Pages to NOT try to make that play at third.
While Pages took the error, Muncy has to block Pages’ throw from center that went into the dugout. I know it’s 90 mph but he has to knock it down. He has to sacrifice his body to block that throw, somehow.
And here’s what hasn’t been mentioned, Yamamoto wasn’t in the right position backing up 3rd. That was the killer.
*The advanced scouts don’t miss much. As soon as Banda entered the game there’s a double steal. Once again, Banda made no attempt at holding the runners. And then he pitched out of the situation.
*Will Smith showed some heads-up base running on Kike’s bloop single to center. That’s a tough read off the bat and Will basically took a chance that the ball would drop. If the ball is caught he’s dead-meat doubled off 1st. If it drops and he hasn’t committed, he’s dead at 2nd. So his gamble is a very smart piece of base running.
*Hopefully Glasnow can rise to the occasion and we don’t give up 2 big innings.
So move on and play better.
Neither team has had much success against tonight’s scheduled starters. Pages should sit, let Kike play CF and Call left. As bad as Pages has been with the stick, Call might be a better choice, more speed and a contact hitter.
With ya on these changes Bear they need a spark badly and it doesnt appear its going to be Ohtani
Ohtani swings at way too many pitches out of the zone, and he makes a lot of first pitch OUTS. His K rate is way too effing high for a leadoff man. Schwarber was moved out of the #1 spot for exactly that reason. Sure, Shohei had 12 homers leading off games, but even with 55 bombs he drove in just 102 runs. We all know the #9 slot was pretty bad for a long time, but with Freddie hitting .296 and Smith at the same mark, he would have had a lot more chances to drive in runs in the cleanup slot. Your two best hitters batting 2nd and 3rd, you are going to score a lot. Schwarber drove in 132 runs, 88 of them hitting second. With more plate discipline, Ohtani could hit .300 every year and drive in closer to 130-40 runs every year. Hell, I would take .290/45/135 with maybe 100 Ks, not the 183 he had this year.
Tanner Scott replaced on the roster by Wrobleski.
One day too late.
Terrible game for the Dodgers and for Kershaw. One day shy of six years ago and Roberts makes the exact same mistake by sending Clayton back out for the 8th inning. Kershaw is not a reliever and not the same pitcher he has been his entire career. It was obvious to anyone who watched the 7th inning that Kershaw did not have his best stuff last night. It was a mistake for Roberts to send him out for the 8th inning. And then it was disgraceful to have him face nine batters in the 8th inning and get pummeled. Malpractice by Roberts again. The Dodgers had a day off Tuesday and another day off on Friday so the whole bullpen was available. The Dodgers made the poor decision to only roster 11 pitchers instead of 12 if they thought pitching was an issue.
It was Kershaw who threw the pitches and who played poorly last night. But Roberts again showed me that he is not a great manager. And his decisions to let Kershaw stay out there should not be forgotten.
But also the 3 runs given up in first seven innings was the same as when when we won5-3. Hitters gotta hit!!