After an upsetting Game 5 loss in the first round and a few questionable decisions, manager Dave Roberts’s time with the Los Angeles Dodgers should be over.
In the 8th inning, after Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw had already gotten through Adam Eaton, Dave Roberts decided to leave his former ace in the game to face two of the best hitters in the game.
I was fine with him facing Anthony Rendon but once he homered, he needed to be out of the game.
And there’s a very valid reason why. Roberts had so many options available that included reliever Adam Kolerak, who by the way had already retired Soto three times in the series.
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He has recorded two strikeouts and a pop up against Soto, so why is Kershaw who has a track record of not being dominant in the postseason, still on the mound with the game on the line?
That is all on Dave Roberts. You can say all you want about how the front office makes a lot of the decisions nowadays but that was a gut decision by him and now he is paying the price.
He then made another questionable decision innings later. Joe Kelly got through the ninth easily, but Roberts kept him out there for another inning, just like he did with Kershaw and it was one inning too late.
Kelly had already struggled, as he walked Adam Eaton and allowed a double by Anthony Rendon. Juan Soto then was due up, but instead of bringing in Kolarek to face Soto (who should have already been in the game for Kershaw), Roberts walks him to load the bases.
Kelly gave up the grand slam to Howie Kendrick when there were more capable arms in the bullpen. Kenley Jansen was available. Pedro Baez was available. Adam Kolarek was too. But Roberts made another costly choice to stick with him and it cost them–again.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was accountable for his actions after the game.
“If the blame falls on me, I’ve got no problem with it,” he said.
Well, the blame definitely falls on you this time, so much so that you should be heading out the door.