Lots of fans think that they know better than the baseball manager, and nowhere is this more apparent than with Dodger fans who claim every loss is on Dave Roberts and every win is in spite of him. When Doc took out Tyler Glasnow, message boards all over the blogosphere went batshit crazy. Now we know the rest of the story – Dave Roberts said he pulled Tyler Glasnow early because he was experiencing cramps — “he had cramps in the fifth, in the sixth,” Roberts noted.
Additionally, Roberts mentioned that Glasnow “hasn’t thrown that many pitches in a month,” so with the cramping and limited recent workload, he felt that was as far as he wanted to push him. However, had Dave let Glasnow pitch into the 7th inning and he had given up runs, the fans would have also blamed Doc. Many fans think jumping to conclusions is an Olympic Sport, and they want the Gold Medal. I’m done ragging on that… but I hope that people learn a lesson and realize that we only know what we see… and sometimes we can’t be sure of that.
The book on Glasnow may be that he hasn’t pitched that well in the past, but let me remind you that he pitched for several years with an “undiagnosed unattached tendon” in his arm that sometimes required nearly an hour to “warm up.” The new book is being written as we speak.
Dodger Rants & Raves
- The four playoff teams with the best playoff ERAs (Padres, Guardians, Phillies, and Red Sox) have all been eliminated.
- Shohei Ohtani might need to sit out the next time he pitches. He hit .148 with 12 strikeouts in 27 ABs. The Dodgers won in spite of him.
- Andy Pages had one hit in 27 ABs but struck out just 6 times.
- Cubs or Brewers?
I want to play the Cubs because of the home field advantage being the #3 seed. Our pitching is lined up perfectly. I think that either the Brewers or Cubs have much weaker starting pitching than than the Dodgers. We have to start hitting and Ohtoni has to show up in the batter’s box.
Yeah, the homefield advantage would be nice.
Sometimes a win is very, very gratifying. Like, say, Freddie Freeman hitting a grand slam for the walk-off win.
Unfortunately, the story in this one is more about how the Phillies blew, not how the Dodgers beat them.
Somebody on FB who calls himself “Baseball History Dork” posted this:
“I watched the replay of the end of the Phillies-Dodgers game tonight about 12 times, then I watched some news, cut my hair, took a shower and came back, and I am still pretty much at a loss for words, or coherent ones anyway. But let me see.
I didn’t have any emotional stake in that series, but that’s probably the worst ending to a postseason series I’ve ever seen. Granted the Dodgers had the bases loaded, and may have knocked one in anyway. But there were two outs. It was a simple comebacker that should have gotten the Phillies out of the inning. And you can see the Phillies’ catcher, Realmuto motioning to first, but pitcher Orion Kerkering was bobbling the ball, and panicked. And when Kerkering threw it to Realmuto, way off-line, you can almost see the “oh shit, it’s over!” in the catcher’s eyes.
It should have been an easy play. But it wasn’t, as it turns out. Nobody should have a solid season come to nothing in that way.
I’m disappointed for the Phillies, especially Orion Kerkering. I even feel bad for Phillies fans. They can be a salty bunch, Phillies fans, but if they are, they own it, and they’re deeply loyal no matter how much shit they talk about their own team.
Bottom line is baseball is a team sport. The Phillies didn’t get it done tonight.
Summed it up well, I think. We’ll take the win, of course. but it wasn’t glorious.
That said, there was some glory getting to that moment, especially from Glasnow and Sasaki. And kudos to the Dodgers for plenty of quality ABs that ended up with walk, including Mookie’s for the RBI.
If I was a Phillies fan, I’d try to classify the last play as a panicked brain fart. Shit happens. I think I’d be more upset with the intentional walk to Shohei.
Glad I’m not a Phillies fan.
On to Chicago! Or Milwaukee!
Easy to say. But if everything else stays the same & Sheehan does not make HIS error, we still win and no extras are needed. Sans those two errors, it was a good old fashioned baseball game.
Yes, we can parse all the details about what led up to the final play… Ibut the final play was the final play.
It’s just more fun to win on a good play than on the opponent’s bad play.
Imagine if Sheehan’s error was the final play that gave the Phils the win. That would be painful!
I have been around for the bad times and the good times.
We lost in 2017 to the trash can bangers.
We did not win a Championship for 30+ years, and then people said it was tainted because of COVID.
We are due!
This is the best time EVER to be a Dodger fan.
BTW, I had AI do a deep dive and if Clayton Kershaws four worst postseason starts (which were tainted by cheating or injury) were removed, his ERA in the post-season would be 3.69.
It was a tough series with great pitching and not a lot of offense. So it can come down to one play like a walkoff homer or an error. Obviously we are glad it went our way. Who was going to pitch next inning for us?
I think some moron here has repeatedly said that the payoffs are a crapshoot!
Last night was a perfect example. Thankfully, it went the Dodgers’ way.
Truer words were never spoken. Baseball is just a weird game. Who would guess that every starter but Yamamoto would go six or more? Who would guess that Ohtani would go like one for a billion at the plate? Who would guess that Sheehan would blow that play at first? Who would guess that the anemic playoff hitter Pages would hit a blown dribbler to win the game? And I’m not second guessing anything, but I was surprised that Miggy Ro was not batting for Pages right then. So weird, so unpredictable, so much fun!
It should also not be lost on anyone that the teams that made the big trades for closers at the deadline are gone, and the team that was criticized the most for not getting more bullpen help had the best closer of all.
The plan was we have ENOUGH guys, they just have to be healthy. And even Morons can be proven right now and then
For us old timers who maybe watched the “A-Team” back in the early 80’s – after everything went “Not to Plan” but in the end they were successful in their mission – it always ended with the boss (Joe Peppard) lighting a cigar and stating “I love it when a plan comes together” (or something along those lines).
I think a bit of luck or favorable break is always required for any team to win a championship, no matter which sport.
Crapshoot indeed!
Oh, I must have missed your prediction about how Roki would recover and reclaim his Nippon superstar form, thus making up for AF’s mistakes on Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates….
Well, glad you mentioned that. I did say that was a possibility back on September 24th in a post about Destiny’s Dodgers. Thank you very much… you did miss it!
I want Freeland to have Rojas’ job next year.
more than likely kike is gone and rojas stays at least at the start of spring training. i believe they will keep Rojas in the organization as a coach. I also believe there’s a chance Teo gets moved and they bring in a free agent outfielder. Tucker and Bellinger are both available. Tucker more likely than Cody . I know that the dodgers have young promising outfielders in their system, but probably 2 years away. In 2 years Pages will either be a star or be on another team. I’m hoping he’s in LA, but after watching him in these playoffs so far, nothing will surprise me. You can see Doc being frustrated with him and his lack of discipline at times both at the plate and in the outfield. The talent is surely intriguing! …. i know we’re all a little pissed with ohtani and his wild swings so far. but remember, just his presence in the lineup made that bases loaded walk possible last night! Somehow Mookie always gets the job done when other teams intentionally walk ohtani. If Teo was a little more patient last night the game would have been over after 9. But love Teo and his smile. And his defense has improved a lot lately. still not great, but better since game 1. . If Tyler Glasnow is our number 4 at the beginning of the season and Emmit is our number 5? WOW! And Lord willing they are all healthy. Going to trade a couple of pitchers more than likely! Could Knack be one of them? He’s from Johnson city Tennessee, just a hop and skip from where i live! Like him a lot! but where’s the fit? Sasaki, Gavin Stone, Gonsolin, River Ryan, Knack. Dang spring training is going to be amazing next season! i know , still work to do in these playoffs, but it’s hard not to think about the surplus of pitching available next season! i too said yesterday, would rather play the cubs and get home field. But. if it’s the brewers, just win one in milwaukee and they have it anyway!
Does anyone have any insight as to why Kim did not slide into home on that final play? I’ve seen the video a bunch of times and it sure seems like that would have been the proper play from the runner’s standpoint.
I propose that because no one of the billions on this great green earth expected the throw to come to the catcher
If it was a force play at home sliding wouldn’t get you there faster
That’s why you don’t slide into first base on a grounder
I get that. But it almost seemed like Realmuto was blocking the plate. Making a slide better and safer, even with a force. You can still interrupt the throw on a force play and knock the ball out. Bluto is probably correct in his assumption.
As far as I am concerned, Kike and MiggyRo can play again next year.
Andy Pages is young, and many other players have choked in the playoffs… until they didn’t (Barry Bonds).
Knack is definitely trade bait.
I wonder if Sasaki might close again next year?
Ohtani will figure it out.
I don’t think Belli will come back to LA.
The Dodgers would sign Turcher for $300 million, but not the $600 million he was rumored to get last year.
If I had a choice, this would be the lineup in 2026:
1. Ohtani DH
2. Betts SS
3. Freeman 1B
4. Smith C
5. Tucker RF
6. Muncy 3B
7. Teoscar LF
8. Pages CF
9. Kim 2B
Bench: Rushing, Rortvelt, Kike, MiggyRo, Edman
Rotation: Snell, Yamamoto, Ohtani, Glasnow, Stone, Sheehan
Closer: Sasaki
I love sasaki as a closer. Even along closer as he can go more than one easily. I mentioned that in an earlier post. They just need to convince him that in a couple years the starting position is likely his as they move some older guys out.
I’d be shocked if Sasaki stayed in the bullpen. Tremendous waste of value and resources
3 Catchers?
Win it all again and they can go all rookies in 2026 for all I care.
I can’t wrap my hands around Tucker wearing Dodgers Blue.
remember, Kyle Tucker was not on that 2027 Aaaaaastros cheaters team. would be a great addition if the money is right!
I love sasaki as a closer. Even a long closer as he can go more than one easily. I mentioned that in an earlier post. They just need to convince him that in a couple years the starting position is likely his as they move some older guys out.
We have five more years of control on him. Not sure he can say no to whatever we tell him is the best thing for him.
But he needs to like it
Agree. They need to convince him it’s in his best interest. However, supposedly their staff helped him fix a lot of things to do with his shoulder problems, so hopefully there’s some trust that has developed.
and the team has to want him a closer. Which, again, I don’t foresee
A blind man could see that Pages is pull happy again. He was trying to pull everything over the LF wall. Pujols close to signing a deal to manage the Angels. He’ll be sorry. Bellinger opting out of his deal with Yankees. Murakami to be posted this winter. LA will likely kick the tires. Ohtani is playing more like the 700-dollar man than the 700M dollar man. To quote Lasorda, he couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. Freddie said he was having trouble picking up the ball against the Phillies lefties. LA did not so much beat the Phillies as the Phillies beat themselves. Feel sorry for the Phillies kid pitcher. What a brutal ending to a well-pitched game.
I am very skeptical of Munetaka Murakami.
He struck out 31% of the time in Japan.
It will be higher in MLB.
He’s James Outman.
NO!
Not saying they will sign him, just saying they will kick the tires.
Meh….. Look how much Schwarber will get in free agency, and he wasn’t much better nor did he pitch in a win. Freeman chased quite a few bad pitches too. We won and it was not handed to us.
So Freeman said he had a hard time picking up the pitches from the lefties. Maybe he needs glasses also
Michael Busch had a higher wRC+ this season than…
Freddie Freeman
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Bryce Harper
Matt Olson
And I’ll bet as an outfielder he would not have been much worse than Conforto. I would have kept Busch and not signed Conforto, making me a genius of course…….but I would have made a thousand other bad calls and AF has gotten almost ( yes almost) all of his calls right. I do wish he would have kept Busch though.
Busch had already been traded long before they signed Conforto. He went to the Cubs in the winter of 23-24 with Almonte for Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope. Busch could play 3rd, 1st and the outfield. But he only played one game in the outfield in the majors. In his career he has 52 total games in LF. He has one error and one assist.
He was not and is not a LFer.
His taking Conforto’s position would never happen.
Don’t make stupid bets, or pretend things are possible based on hope.
From SI.com:
“Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy issued a warning about the Dodgers to the rest of the teams remaining in the 2025 postseason.
The Dodgers have won five of their six games this postseason, and the offense isn’t quite clicking how it did in the regular season. Muncy believes once that does happen, the Dodgers will be unstoppable.
“I still think there’s another gear in there,” Muncy said. “I don’t think we fully reached where we can be at. And that’s not saying we are, and that’s not saying we aren’t. But I still think there’s a whole other level in there we haven’t reached yet.”
When asked what would indicate they’d reached that point, Muncy responded: “I think you would know.”
More news: Dodgers Star Sends Shohei Ohtani Warning to NLCS Opponent
The Dodgers have definitely had some stars in minor slumps through the postseason this far, most notably Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages.
Ohtani got off to a hot start against the Cincinnati Reds, hitting two home runs in the first game of the Dodgers’ postseason journey. Since then, however, he has struggled, going 2-for-22 with two RBIs through five games.
Pages has also struggled for hits this postseason, though to a much higher degree than Ohtani. Pages has just one hit in his 24 at-bats, and though he drove in the winning run in Game 4 of the Dodgers’ NLDS against the Phillies, they’d definitely like to see more production out of him.
The duo had the Dodgers’ two highest home run totals during the regular season, and if they find their form again, the Dodgers’ offense will be far more formidable.
While Ohtani and Pages haven’t performed well this postseason, the pitching has stepped up in a big way to support the offense. The Dodgers’ starting staff has been fantastic through their six games, posting a 2.02 ERA in the postseason thus far.
In addition to the starters’ performances, Roki Sasaki has stepped up in a huge way for the Dodgers, and is a valuable part of a bullpen which had limped into the postseason after a rough month of September.
The Dodgers get a few days of rest before the NLCS, and if their key pieces can return to what they were during the regular season, they have a strong chance of hoisting the World Series trophy for the second year in a row.
Miguel Rojas Intends To Retire After 2026 Season
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/los-angeles-dodgers
It is my opinion that Michael Busch is a huge defensive liability anywhere except 1B.
AF had to trade him and did. He got Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope back.
Hope is the #21 best prospect in all of MLB (BA).
Jackson Ferris is a highly projectable 6’4″ 21-year-old LHP who is the Dodgers’ #8 prospect.
Hope is likely due in 2027 as is Ferris.
Great article on why pitchers succeed in LA.
https://dodgersnation.com/dodgers-director-of-pitching-provides-insight-into-meeting-that-fixed-roki-sasaki/2025/10/11/