Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts‘ Bullpen Move in Loss to Phillies Raises Playoff Concerns
PHILADELPHIA – Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ decision to remove reliever José Banda during Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies backfired, contributing to a loss that slightly diminished the Dodgers’ playoff seeding hopes. The move, intended to provide a look at starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan in a potential postseason bullpen role, proved costly as Banda surrendered a home run to Kyle Schwarber and a walk to Bryce Harper before being replaced.
The Dodgers’ 6-3 defeat to the Phillies not only halted a potential gain in the National League standings but also highlighted the delicate balance Roberts faces in preparing for October baseball. Currently projected as the No. 3 seed, the Dodgers trail the Phillies by 5.5 games for the No. 2 seed and a coveted first-round bye.The experiment with sheehan, while yielding a solid 5.2-inning performance where he allowed one earned run and struck out seven, came at the expense of a game the Dodgers could have won.
Roberts explained the rationale behind the pitching change was to simulate a postseason scenario for Sheehan, who is expected to transition to a bullpen role when the playoffs begin. “we wanted to get Emmet into a high-leverage situation and see how he responded,” Roberts said, according to sports illustrated.
Sheehan, in his second MLB season, has a 6-3 record with a 3.17 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and a 3.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 10 starts. His performance Monday offered a glimpse into his potential value as a relief pitcher.
Despite the loss, the Dodgers have an immediate possibility to close the gap on the Phillies. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to pitch Tuesday night in the second game of the series.
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