Dodgers News: Max Muncy On His Trust for Bobby Miller in the Pressure Cooker of Postseason Baseball
The Dodgers look to even the best-of-five NL Division Series tonight with their top rookie pitcher on the mound. Bobby Miller checked off a number of boxes this summer, some might argue a bit earlier than the team planned for him to do, and all of his hard work and growth is being rewarded with a Game 2 start in the postseason.
His first ever postseason start.
Certainly, for a team that prides itself on veteran depth, it’s not what the front office had scripted back at the start of spring training in February. But injuries to top starting pitchers and one player getting banished from the league for a second domestic violence arrest were also not in the script.
Miller is what the Dodgers have for Game 2, and that’s not necessarily the worst thing.
Veteran infielder Max Muncy fielded questions from reporters before Game 2 in LA on Monday where he spoke openly about the team’s belief in the rookie right-hander.
“You just have to trust in what you’ve been doing all year long,” Muncy said. “For Bobby he realizes it’s the same game. Stakes are obviously higher, but he’s just got to go out there and do what he’s been doing all year — just execute his pitches and his game plan, not let the moment get too big, which is always easier said than done. But for him, I think he’s as ready as he’s going to get. I think we’re all excited to see what he can do.”
Much has been made about the core of rookies LA is relying on this postseason. With Miller getting the start on Monday, only Ryan Pepiot wouldn’t have made an appearance in the series so far. Veterans on the roster including Freddie Freeman have spoken about where the rookies stand and how prepared they are for these big moments.
Bobby Miller is, perhaps, the most ready of them all.
“Not letting the game speed up on you,” Miller said about his key to controlling his emotions on the mound on Saturday. “Obviously with the pitch clock, there’s times when you’ve just got to keep going. But when stuff starts to go in the deep end, just not let the game speed up on you, slow it down a little bit, take a quick step off the mound, deep breath and just find something comforting mentally to cheer you up a little bit. And just know it’s a blessing to be here.”
Don’t anyone tell Miller, but the season is sort of on the line in LA on Monday night. Manager Dave Roberts said that he would manage Games 2 and 3 in this series “like it’s a Game 7,” meaning Bobby could be on a short leash. The Dodgers are hoping to keep Ryan Pepiot ready to go for Game 3 in Arizona, but anything and everything will be on the table for Game 2.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
