Dave Roberts rolled the dice and crapped out as the Los Angeles Dodgers relinquished their control of the National League Championship Series by falling to the New York Mets 7-3 in Game 2 on Monday. 

 

The Dodgers manager has been creative while trying to manipulate his bullpen because of injuries to their starting rotation down the stretch of the regular season.  

 

Dave Roberts Bullpen By Committee Fails In NLCS Game 2

 

Roberts tried once again to use a combination of bullpen pitchers for a complete game as he did in game four of the division series against the San Diego Padres. That move proved genius as eight Dodgers pitchers shut down the Padres in the midst of a historic stretch of 33 consecutive scoreless innings.

 

However, the game plan that worked to perfection last week was blown up in the second inning of game two of the NLCS.  Francisco Lindor opened the game with a leadoff home run off “starter” Ryan Brasier in the first inning. The Dodgers then broke the game open in the second inning. Tyrone Taylor doubled and then Roberts intentionally walked Lindor to face Mark Vientos who basically put the game with his grand slam.

 

 

“It all is great when it works well and guys are throwing up zeros, but you’re still facing really good ball clubs,” Roberts said via Associated Press. 

 

The seven game series means that Roberts will have to rely on another all hands on deck “bullpen start” if the Dodgers are going to advance

 

“There is a margin that you have to guard against and kind of really appreciate the cost of the next games, and not forgetting that this isn’t a winner-take-all game. It’s not a three-game series,” said Roberts.

 

Earlier this week MLBbro.com Founder Rob Parker told ESPN’s Brian Kinney that he doesn’t think the LA Dodgers have the pitching to win the World Series despite their recent streak of 33 scoreless playoff innings that was ended by a Mets offensive barrage in Game 2.  

 

Dave Roberts Must Prove Rob Parker Wrong and Make Bullpen Work 

 

With the series shifting to Queens for the next three games Roberts’ use of his bullpen start may be the key to winning the pennant. Jack Flaherty was lights out in game one which gave them rest. However, it was the bullpen that led to their loss of home field advantage before the long trip to the east coast thanks to its bad start. 

 

“It never feels good losing but you’ve got your high leverage pitchers ready to go for the next three games,” Roberts said.  “I feel really good about that.” 

Share This