Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted at making a potential lineup change ahead of Game 5 of the World Series.
“I think so,” Roberts said when asked if it’s time to potentially switch things up. “I’m gonna think long and hard, and it might look a little bit different tomorrow.”
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Roberts said he’s deciding between three players for one spot — likely the No. 9 spot in the lineup.
“Essentially, it’s am I gonna play Andy (Pages), am I gonna play (Alex) Call, or am I gonna play Miggy Ro (Miguel Rojas)” So, just kind of trying to think through all that stuff and net it out and see what gives us the best chance tomorrow.”
Roberts removed Pages after two at-bats in Game 5, replacing him with Alex Call, who went 0-for-2. Pages is now 4-for-50 (.080) this postseason with an OPS of .215.
Tommy Edman, who initially wasn’t expected to be an option in center field this postseason due to his ankle injury, ended up playing there in extra innings in Game 3. Roberts was asked before the game if Edman could potentially be an option there for the rest of the series, or if he’s going to stay at second base.
“I’m not saying it’s zero percent chance,” Roberts said of Edman playing in center field. “That was kind of where we were at with the game, trying to keep guys in there. But, yeah, it’s certainly a possibility.”
If Roberts feels good about Edman playing center, Rojas could take over at second base. If not, Roberts could either keep things status quo and put Pages in center, or put Call in left and move Kiké Hernandez to center field.
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The Dodgers are facing Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage in Game 5. He pitched in Game 1, when Pages went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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13 Responses
Wow genius! Why did it take so long. Every manager the Dodgers have played against is 10 times better than Robert’s ever will be. He has the best team ever assembled and yet they barely squeak by to get a win when they do. Pages should have been benched in the Milwaukee series! If the pitching doesn’t come thru then we’re doomed nearly every game. Love Trienen but PLEASE STOP PUTTING HIM IN unless we’re up by at least 5
Something needs to change! For third game out of the four played, LAD was held to 6 hits. Nothing against Toronto’s pitching staff, but that’s a poor performance from this line-up. It’s not just Pages, which has been epically awful. Betts is 3 (all singles) for 19 with 0 RBIs. Edman is 3 for 18, two singles and a double with 1 RBI. Kike is 3 for 16, all singles with 2 RBIs. Muncy is 3 for 17 with a double and HR to go with a single, and one RBI, his HR. This is not the way to win games. Said it in another comment, LAD has 7 HRs with 8 runs. Toronto has 5 HRs with 13 runs. LAD batted .253 in the regular season, averaged 5.1 runs per game as a team and down to .213 in WS and 4.24 runs per game. Toronto on the other hand was .265 in regular season averaging 4.9 runs per game and only down to .259 in the WS, but averaging 5.75 runs per game. It’s clear who the better team is right now. If not for Klein, LAD could very easily be down 3 games to 1. The weight of expectations and poor decisions by Roberts are really hurting LAD right now. Tonight is a critical must win game.
The difference between Fluharty’s relief in the top of the 6th, shutting down LAD’s threat and the bottom of the 6th was glaringly obvious. 0 runs allowed by him and 4 charged to Ohtani (who should not have even pitched in the 6th), Banda, and Treinen. They’re down 2 – 1 and it’s almost like Roberts just gave up. Bad decision (Ohtani coming out for 6th), followed by another bad decision (Banda), followed by a complete give up move (Treinen). It’s seriously baffling.
Painful obvious that treinans done. Also getting obvious that Toronto has a superior lineup. Now smith is slumping. He’ll except for Ohtani and occasionally freeman. Whole team is slumping !!
Right on. You should be the manager
That would be an improvement, so I’m all for it!!
Yep, when Banda failed to put out the fire, Roberts threw in the Treinen.
I agree 100%. Roberts, who is otherwise an excellent manager, should have somebody else game-manage the pitchers. Anybody else. He picks the wrong guy at the wrong time too damn often. And it’s true: somebody has to hit over .150 besides Shohei and Freddy. 7 O’fers in the line-up means: you lose.
Why does Roberts keep going back to Treinen who has mostly thrown batting practice to the opposing teams? He has lost his lustre. To continue to think he will be better reminds me of Lucy telling Charlie Brown she will not pull the football when he tries to kick a field goal. Yet every time, he ends up on his back!
The Dodger offense should be ashamed of themselves especially Mookie Betts and Max Muncy. Zero excuse to not be up 3-1 right now. None. And if it weren’t for a miracle in game 3, they would be down 3-1. Terrible baseball from this offense.
I am getting tired of all the “David versus Goliath” stuff, especially when it’s echoed by the Fox announcers. We all knew, and certainly now know if there was any doubt, Toronto has a formidable lineup of batters which is why they had the most wins in MLB this year. Even with Springer out last night I suspected they would get some runs off Ohtani after that game 3 marathon. And when Roberts brought in Banda, I said “oh oh” since he has a habit of leaving his fast balls right over the plate. After the runs he gave up and then Roberts basically throwing in the towel by inserting Treinen I figured he just wanted the team to get through this one and on to tonight. Sad, though, that the Dodgers won’t be able to win this at home. But as MikeH states, the team batting has been pretty abysmal and if they don’t start scoring more than a couple of runs, this series is already over.
I totally agree with the Comments about the INEFFECTIVENESS of Banda and Treinen. Banda is very INCONSISTENT, and MOSTLY UNRELIABLE, AND, SADLY, Treinen appears to have LOST his Pitching prowess. Quite frankly,– I cringe anytime he comes in. And, lately, the opposing Teams go on a “HITTING Frenzy” when he is pitching. I AM also very disappointed and CONCERNED about the OFFENSE, and especially, from Muncy and Betts. Ohtani and Freeman seem to be the ONLY ones doing anything productive And, Pages, should have been benched in Milwaukee. I understand the concept of Loyalty. But, how LONG do you ride a “DEAD HORSE”? I had made a Prediction that the Dodgers would win the Series at Home. Right now, I am wondering IF they WILL win the SERIES at ALL. Unless their Offense starts to SPARK, they might LOSE the World Series in Toronto. What an inopportune time for most of the Line-up to be SLUMPING!!! It HURTS to witness their DISMAL Offense!!
I know this might upset the mindset of some but with Toronto internationally walking or pitching around Ohtani, they should put Will Smith behind Ohtani, Freeman bats third, Teo bats 4th, Muncy 5th, and then Mookie 6th. Need someone more consistent to put some damage on the ball to protect Ohtani’s AB. Offense need to take a page from Toronto’s approach to put bat on ball, shorten that swing to hit up the middle gap to gap. Have to score some runs first, take the lead and then go for the jugular and start jacking for the dingers. At the onset they already swinging for the fences, striking out and allowing the starting pitcher to get in the groove. Put runners on to create stress on the pitcher and force the opposing manager to make dumb decisions.
Game three was a tough one. Dodgers however are not batting when needed. Roberts just switch Betts and Muncy in batting order. Pages has not produced as expected and could be used as a backup pinch hitter. Confuse Blue Jays with some bunts even with Pages at bat. Don’t try stealing with Kirk catching.
Go Dodgers
Blue