The Los Angeles Dodgers narrowly escaped Game 2 of the NLDS with a win against the Philadelphia Phillies, but it wasn’t without some drama from the bullpen (which can unfortunately be expected at this point in the season).
The Dodgers took a four-run lead in the seventh inning, and after Emmet Sheehan allowed a run through his two innings of work, manager Dave Roberts had a decision to make regarding who would trot out of the bullpen for the game’s final three outs.
Despite Roki Sasaki warming up in the seventh inning and, to that point, having yet to give up an earned run in relief through his last four innings of regular season and postseason play, Roberts put right-hander Blake Treinen into the game.
Through the month of September, Treinen collected a 9.64 ERA, but in 1.1 innings in the Wild Card round, allowed just one hit.
More news: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Provides Miguel Rojas Injury Update After Exiting Game 2
Treinen ended up allowing two earned runs off three hits and failed to record an out in the ninth inning.
Alex Vesia then entered the game to collect a pair of outs, and Roberts was forced to go to Sasaki to close out the game.
MLB Network’s Mark DeRosa claimed that he “completely understood” the move to get Treinen in the game since Roberts needs to “expand the circle of trust” with his bullpen.
DeRosa went on to explain how effective Treinen has been in the past, and due to this fact, should be trusted in these moments. Last season, Treinen was one of the most productive arms out of the ‘pen with a 1.93 ERA during the regular season and a 2.19 ERA through October.
The relief pitching in LA has certainly warranted selective trust from Roberts lately, but given the situation, perhaps going with the surefire closer from the start would have resulted in less stress, rather than working to regain deteriorating trust.
More news: Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Calls Dave Roberts Arguably Best Manager He’s Ever Had
Photo Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
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13 Responses
Last year he warranted the trust, this year he does not. Dave, manage with this year’s performance record!
I think this was Treinen’s last chance after he had a decent Wild Card appearance. Now his season is probably done
Agree with Tony. In fact Treinden should be removed from the roster for the rest of the post season.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s taken off the NLCS roster but also they don’t have many other right-handed options waiting in the wings. Maybe they give Ben Casparius a look again
The bull pen of the dodgers is at best poor. However with the addition of Sasaki it has improved 100%.
It did not take a MIT GENIUS to understand you play to win and Roberts does not do that.
He should have kept Emmitt in the top of the 9th and let him pitch to at least the first batter,He put the game at risk when he put Blake in to pitch because he had a brain fart. If Emmitt loses the first batter that he can go to Sasaki not Nerous Nelli Vesi
I have been a dodger fan since I was 6 some 80 years ago and you play the best hand you have, Roberts needs to begin to do just that.
the run spread was 1.5 for dodger wager to win……D.R.’s decision made that wager a Loser…….oh well, that’s the way the Kooky crumbles!
How many times does roberts need to be kicked in the nards before he stops using the dynamic trio of trienin scott and yates
Well Yates is unlikely to pitch again this season and Treinen may have just blown his last chance. Still expect to see Tanner Scott at some point this October so we’ll see how that goes.
Treinen is not ready after coming back from his injury. Use him if there’s a a blowout. Otherwise, use Kershaw, Sasaki and Sheehan along with Vesia and you should be fine.
Definitely looking forward to seeing what Kershaw can give out of the pen. Then, I agree, the trust tree should have enough to get you through October
I’m getting real tired of hearing this “trust” BS, especially when it comes from Roberts. There is absolutely no reason to trust Blake Treinen based on his performance THIS year. This isn’t 2024 and these games are too critical to be playing around with hope and trust. He needs to go with what has been working, but Roberts has shown to go against that common sense move time and time again.
I was in Baltimore on September 6 when Yamamoto was ROBBED of a 1 hitter victory. He was FIRE on the mound all night, gave up a home run in the ninth (which Pages made no effort to catch) and is yanked out of the game and all Yamamoto needed was to get ONE OUT! With the stuff he was throwing that would not have been a problem. But, NO! Roberts brings in Treinen and then Tanner Scott and Yamamto not only lost the 1 hitter, the Dodgers lost the game in a walk off by Emmanuel Rivera! WHO?!? The Dodgers were winning 3-1 with TWO OUT! And lose 4-3!!!
Watching Game 2 in Philadelphia the other night, I was having PTSD when Blake Treinen was brought in and after the damage was done, he looked like a whipped dog when taken out. Who’s defending Dave Roberts for this?! In sort of his defense, Brandon Gomes and Andrew Friedman in all likelihood may be pulling certain strings that are out of Roberts control. But we will never really know will we? Watch “Moneyball” and tell me the front office doesn’t have any say.
@ Mike Vila – I was also at that September 6th game in Baltimore and also had PTSD in Game 2. That said, Yamamoto was not “robbed” as Holliday tagged that ball. From a few different angles, it’s inconclusive if Pages could have caught it. In fairness, Yamamoto had already thrown 112 pitches. Perhaps he could have gotten one more out, but we will never know. Once the no hitter was done, a strong argument could be made that it was the right thing to do. Hindsight, meaning after the bullpen collapse, it’s easy to say it was the wrong move. Pulling Yamamoto was the right move 99 out of 100 times. The decision to put in two guys who were struggling to get anyone out, beyond just that game, and one of whom (Scott) led the majors in blown saves (10) is a different argument. Scott also took the loss the night before that with another walk-off HR to Basallo.
That said, I really wish people would stop implying that Roberts is not making in game decisions. Sure, the others can have a discussion about scenarios and game planning, but there has never been any evidence that he is not making all in game decisions. And Moneyball, as entertaining as it was, was a movie, not a documentary, meaning some theatrical license and liberties were taken.