With just three outs remaining for the Los Angeles Dodgers to steal Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Dave Roberts decided to turn to his bullpen.
Blake Snell, the game’s starting pitcher, wasn’t just shoving in a time when his team needed him most, but was contributing to postseason history. After striking out 10 through eight innings while walking no batters and allowing just one single in the third inning, Snell became the first pitcher since 1956 to face the minimum number of batters through eight innings in a postseason game.
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At 103 pitches and knowing rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki (who had yet to give up a run in relief to that point) was waiting in the bullpen, Roberts went with his postseason closer.
Sasaki had his share of struggles to kick off his season as a starter, but after being away for over four months with a shoulder impingement, he returned as a formidable reliever, striking out four and allowing just one hit and no walks in two regular season appearances. In October, Sasaki continued his dominance, striking out five while allowing one hit and walking no batters in four crucial outings.
All of this added to the tough decision Roberts had to make between a proven rookie reliever with a two-run lead and a two-time Cy Young award winner in one of his greatest outings on the mound.
“I thought it was a tough one for me,” Roberts said. “Hadn’t been in the ninth inning, eight ups, potentially going on regular his next outing. I thought it was 50/50.
“Roki has been throwing the baseball really well. Have a two-run lead. I felt good with Roki there.”
Snell said he could have gone back out, but trusted his manager’s decision.
“I felt I could have,” Snell said. “But I trust Dave. He knows what’s best for the team.”
Sasaki allowed his first career earned run in the postseason — and his first two career postseason walks — as Roberts then gave the ball to Blake Treinen to get the final out.
The Dodgers still came away with the win and Snell’s brilliance wasn’t put to waste, but the focus will now be shifted back to Sasaki if he can get back on track as the series unfolds.
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Photo Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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2 Responses
Tonight’s game ended the way last night’s game should have – by letting the starter finish the game and not rely on the bullpen, and as Roberts has been prone to do, make pitching changes when nothing is wrong.
Dave you can’t fix what isn’t broke.