Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Considering Lineup Change Ahead of Win or Go Home Game 3
The start to the MLB postseason hasn’t gone the way that anyone would have hoped in Los Angeles. The Dodgers dropped the first two at home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, and now they face a win or go home game at Chase Field on Wednesday.
The offense has gone ice-cold through the first two games, so manager Dave Roberts told reporters that he would consider making a change to help things.
“You know, I think it’s something that I’m going to think about tonight,” Roberts said. “I’ve thought about it today.There is that balance of looking at it, it’s only two games, but the other part of it is that sense of urgency because this is do or die now.”
Hopefully, for the Dodgers sake, they figure the offense out. They have had chances to take advantage of, but haven’t been able to capitalize on them. So, maybe a lineup change could be beneficial to this team.
One player who could see a spot in the lineup in Game 3 is be utility man Kiké Hernandez. Hernandez has completely turned his season around since joining LA prior to the trade deadline, so it would make sense to have him out there. Roberts gave his thoughts on Hernandez possibly getting into the lineup Wednesday.
“And so I do love the at-bats Kiké’s been taking and kind of trying to figure out if changing the lineup a little bit as far as structure makes sense,” Roberts said. “But it’s something I’m certainly contemplating and I’ll decide ultimately tomorrow. But that’s a great thought. I had thought about it.”
Hernandez has come up large for the Dodgers in the playoffs before, so Roberts may be hoping for more of the same. He is a solid playoff performer, and the Dodgers need anything that can help get things going for their offense.
Roberts had been against changing the lineup previously, but he likely realized that something needed to change. LA is on the brink of elimination, and anything they can do to keep their season alive is fair game at this point.
The hope is that veteran pitcher Lance Lynn can perform well enough to allow the offense a chance to get going in this one. If he can even give them three or four innings, the team will be in great shape. Hopefully, the Dodgers can extend the season, and then figure out how to get this series back to Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
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The rest of the playoffs (however long) need to be “bullpen” games. The lineup can’t face 3 run deficits (at least) after one inning. They have power but not a thumper. Muncy is too streaky. So is Betts. When they’re both cold it’s a nightmare scenario (22-23 playoffs are great examples). Wong instead of Busch? Really? Worst mistake of the playoffs.
Betts a second, Hernandez at short!
If the the Dodgers lose the series, fire Roberts immediately. This is all on Roberts. He is a wonderful regular season coach but a mediocre playoff coach. Don’t give me the bull about the Dodgers lack of pitching this year. We have all the tools last year and yet the Dodgers lost. It’s not on the players either. It’s about the wrong preparation for the playoffs and lack of motivation. That’s all on the coach. The dodgers fans deserve better than this. It’s not over yet but we’ll see.
So……..the 9 first innings runs given up in the first two games are all on Roberts and NOT on our two best pitchers? And the lack of timely hitting by our potent and star filled lineup is also on the manager for giving them enough motivation? I am not saying you are wrong. I am just not agreeing with that at all. The players have to perform. Period.
The best managers were pitchers during their careers