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.