“It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation” - Dave Roberts lays out Dodgers' pitching strategy for bullpen game against Mets in NLCS Game 6
Manager Dave Roberts will be relying on all the available arms in their pitching staff as he prepares the Los Angeles Dodgers for a bullpen game against the New York Mets in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday. Roberts feels his team is in a good place to cope with the challenge as their top relievers are well-rested and have not been exposed to the opposing hitters.
The Dodgers are on the verge of reaching their second World Series in five years after winning the crown during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. They are just one win away from claiming the NL pennant following their 10-2 victory over the Mets in Game 4 of the NLCS. However, they lost 12-6 in Game 5 on Friday, subsequently taking both teams back to LA for the decisive phase of the series.
Roberts discussed his tactics for Game 6 from a pitching standpoint while speaking to reporters during a press conference at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.
"It is going to be a bullpen game," Roberts affirmed. "Similar to what we did in Game 2, with the expectation of better execution. How we use the guys, I am not sure yet. A lot is dictated by how [the Mets] construct their lineup.
“It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation. That’s how I’m gonna look at tomorrow. With the pen, there is only so much you can push each guy. So it's kind of depending on where they are at, as far as hitters (faced), pitch count and that sort of thing,” he added.
Despite making a deep run into the playoffs, the Dodgers have fielded a makeshift rotation as a number of their starting pitchers, such as Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone and Tony Gonsolin, are all currently on the IL. Therefore, they have had to rely heavily on their relievers in this postseason as the team prepares for its second bullpen game of this NLCS.
We’re in a very good spot: Dave Roberts on Dodgers bullpen
Due to their tattered starting rotation, the Dodgers' bullpen accounted for 21.1 innings over the five games played in this NLCS. However, Roberts has turned to his ace relievers quite sparingly so far, which puts them in a good spot to handle the heavy workload in store for the bullpen in Game 6.
“I feel that to prevent runs, we’re in a very good spot,” Roberts said. “I don’t think we’ve exposed our high-leverage guys at all.
“You have to kind of remain steadfast in how you use your pitchers. Because ultimately it’s about winning four games in a seven-game series,” he added.
Michael Kopech, Daniel Hudson and Evan Phillips have all just made one appearance each in this series. Blake Treinen has faced one opposing batter on two occasions, while Anthony Banda has thrown just 20 pitches on his two outings.
Can the Dodgers' bullpen get them over the line against the Mets in Game 6 on Sunday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.