Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Reveals Emmet Sheehan’s Potential Postseason Role

With his hand forced due to various injuries across the rotation, unconventional methods will be necessary if Dodgers manager Dave Roberts want to earn another World Series trophy like they did in 2020.

Part of that postseason plan will likely include rookie Emmet Sheehan who could be used in a variety of ways according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

“We see him as a neutral guy. Gets right, gets left out. Come in for a longer bullpen role to take down one or two times through the lineup. You’ve got to cover innings somehow,” Roberts said. “We don’t have those traditional three or four starters that are going to go 110 pitches in a postseason game. So to have multiple guys that can do that, as far as take down 45, 60 pitches, is huge.”

via Dave Roberts, Sportsnet LA

Off of another dominant outing against the Giants where he gave up no hits across 4.2 innings, Sheehan has quickly grown accustomed to the big leagues after stringing together some impressive outings.

In the game before playing the division rival San Francisco Giants, Sheehan was on the road and shoved against the Mariners, pitching three scoreless innings of bulk work in just 39 pitches.

That type of efficiency will be key for a Dodgers rotation missing many of their key contributors from years past and lacking true workhorse starters like they have in previous runs.

Citing a possible usage for Sheehan as a long reliever, getting more consistent and efficient ahead of the playoff run will be key for the rookie.

Setting a new career high in strikeouts against the Giants with nine in less than five innings of work, Sheehan tried to complete five innings of no-hit baseball, but allowed three straight baserunners before being pulled and made ineligible for the win.

Likely not caring about the result this deep into the regular season, wins will obviously matter a lot more in the postseason and Sheehan’s multiple innings of work will be key to securing some for LA in just a few weeks.

Not the only rookie pitcher poised to a big role for the club this postseason, Sheehan’s may be the most unique but overall most important as we’ll come to find out.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Please subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more all year long!