Dodgers News: Austin Barnes Will Start NLCS Game 4 Over Yasmani Grandal

During a time of year when Quarterback controversies are bantered about, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a catcher controversy. Moreover, Austin Barnes has taken hold as the lead dog in the race; and will start game four of the NLCS. Dave Roberts told the media following game three that Barnes will get the start on Tuesday night.

Here are Roberts’ comments on the situation for you:

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says Austin Barnes will be the catcher tomorrow, acknowledging the fans’ dissatisfaction with Yasmani Grandal https://t.co/pvPfpzsIyy pic.twitter.com/eZo3I0QF29

— L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) October 16, 2018

“We’re going to play Austin tomorrow. Austin will catch,” Roberts said. “(Grandal) will be ready to go off the bench and he’s been good for us all year. So he’ll be ready off the bench tomorrow. He had a tough night.”

Barnes drew a key walk against Jeremy Jeffress in the Dodgers 4-3 win on Saturday in game two. Furthermore, Barnes tallied 46 at-bats in the 2017 postseason that saw him run with the starting catching position down the stretch.

Adding to what has been a spiraling direction for the struggling Grandal was the catcher’s quote following a tough game three.

Yasmani Grandal on the passed balls/wild pitches: "I think it’s driving you guys more nuts than it’s driving me."

— Andy McCullough (@ByMcCullough) October 16, 2018

Grandal was rebuked by the home crowd in attendance during game three in which another defensive gaffe occurred. Equally important was that Grandal took part in two rally-killing at-bats in the second and ninth innings.

Mary Hart has not had any Entertainment Tonight from Yasmani Grandal.

Here she is yelling at him for another passed ball. pic.twitter.com/Ljl5vaFqmO

— Ryan Walton (@RyanCPWalton) October 16, 2018

The Dodgers need to circle the wagons in game four and beyond. It is a little hard to fathom that those wagons are hitched to Barnes at backstop. In reality, this was a player I wrote about the Dodgers needing to move on from in August. I have never been more in his corner than I am on this night.