Dodgers

Dodgers’ Roberts Explains Late-Game Reliever Decisions Following Game 2 Win

PHILADELPHIA⁤ – Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed questions Tuesday regarding his bullpen management in Monday’s 8-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game‍ 2 of the National League Division series, specifically focusing on⁢ the⁣ timing of roki Sasaki‘s appearance and⁢ the struggles of reliever Blake Treinen.

While Sasaki ultimately pitched a scoreless seventh ‍inning, Roberts explained why he didn’t call upon the rookie earlier in a tight game.‍ The decision centered ⁢around trusting veteran ⁢starter evan Phillips to navigate the Phillies’ potent lineup.

“I just felt that his stuff was still real good [and that] he wasn’t going to run from‌ those guys at⁢ the top,” Roberts said, referring to Phillips facing Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. “I trusted him. I⁤ felt in that moment he was the best option. And it proved⁣ to be right.”

Phillips delivered, striking out Harper on a changeup after getting ahead⁤ with what was described as the “third-hardest pitch for a strikeout this season.” Schwarber also struck out looking.The Phillies were a combined 1-for-14 against Phillips and Sasaki with two walks and‌ eight strikeouts.

The triumphant outing by Phillips and Sasaki followed a concerning Wild Card Series ⁣appearance by reliever Ryan Sheehan. sheehan acknowledged needing ‌to adjust his approach after struggling in that outing, stating, “Definitely ‍controlling your emotions…​ It’s a big piece of coming out of the bullpen. I’ve talked to a lot ⁤of guys about that,especially after Cincinnati where I ‌wasn’t as⁢ cozy out there.” Sheehan admitted he was “trying⁤ to do a little too⁢ much, trying to be⁤ a little too ​fine with my pitches at the corners,” and needed to​ “just⁤ get ‍back to the approach‍ and ⁤the ⁢game plan‌ that’s ⁤been working for the⁤ past couple ​months.”

Roberts indicated‌ he is highly likely⁢ to continue utilizing ⁣Sheehan and Sasaki in high-leverage situations, potentially forming a preferred⁤ late-inning combination.

Conversely, Roberts expressed disappointment with veteran reliever Blake Treinen’s performance ‍in Game 2. Treinen failed to‌ record an out, allowing a single and two doubles.

“I just didn’t see that edge last night,” ‌Roberts ⁤said Tuesday, “that I know I’ve seen it many times over.”

Treinen, a key contributor during the Dodgers’ 2020 ‍World Series ⁤run, has struggled this season, posting a career-worst 5.40 ERA after returning from a forearm problem. While he had shown recent enhancement, the Phillies capitalized on his diminished ability to generate swings and misses, with only one strikeout on eight ⁢swings.

Roberts stated he will check in with Treinen but emphasized the importance ‍of a player’s demeanor,irrespective of​ success or failure. “There’s ways of⁢ how⁤ you go about an‍ outing, successful⁣ or not‌ successful, and how a player carries himself matters to me.” ​Whether⁤ Treinen will be ⁣placed in another high-leverage situation in ⁢the near future remains uncertain.