“Fire Dave Roberts,” many Dodger fans write on social media. This is uncalled for, and it can be viewed as mean.
Roberts is an excellent modern manager. He knows how to handle personalities and the media. He doesn’t panic when the Dodgers suffer injuries. Injuries decimated the starting rotation this season, and Roberts had to be creative to win.
I understand Dodger fans are frustrated since the Dodgers haven’t won a full-season world championship since 1988. In my 47 years of following the Dodgers, I have witnessed only one full-season world championship, and I am frustrated, too.
Do I blame Roberts for this recent NLDS loss?
Of course not!
He doesn’t hit, pitch, or field. As a player, he stole the most iconic base in the Boston Red Sox. He knows how to handle pressure no matter how big the lights are. Roberts even beat cancer.
Many Dodger fans are mad that Roberts started Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 in the NLDS. What choice did he have? Kershaw had playoff experience and wouldn’t let the enormous playoff pressure. Yes, his pitching skills diminished after he suffered a mysterious shoulder injury. No one could predict Kershaw’s lousy third of an inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Roberts wanted a win before he went to his very talented rookie starter, Bobby Miller. During the season, Miller had trouble controlling his emotions. He frequently let a rally out of hand since he couldn’t control his emotions. Roberts didn’t want Miller to mar his playoff record. Roberts has seen the criticism of the future Hall of Famer Kershaw because he had struggled during the postseason after the Dodgers overused him during the regular season.
Roberts understands and will not start two consecutive rookies during the NLDS. Yes, Ryan Pepiot was their best starter since he joined the starting rotation, but he was still a rookie. Roberts needed a fresh pitcher to start Game 4, and he understood his bullpen was tired.
Roberts handled the bullpen perfectly during the NLDS, and every Dodger reliever performed as expected. The 2023 Dodger bullpen was the best that Roberts has had during his tenure.
Roberts couldn’t hit for both Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. The Dodgers need to change their philosophy about the offense in the postseason. Kiké Hernàndez should have played every game of the NLDS over David Peralta, who played the second half of the season with a torn flexor tendon. While home runs are essential during the postseason, the Dodgers must link singles together to score runs.
The Dodgers should quit being patient at the plate during the postseason. Most opposing pitchers in the postseason have great control, so they seldom walk anyone. During this postseason, aggressive players like the Texas Rangers’ Corey Seager have been successful. Knowing the strike zone is essential to succeed at baseball, but knowing what a hitter can hit is equally important. Watching a player looking at strike three is frustrating for everyone.
Andrew Friedman was right to call the loss in the NLDS “an organizational failure.” Roberts doesn’t deserve the criticism when he has led the Dodgers to one hundred or more wins five times. The Dodgers don’t need a manager like Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, who won two world championships in twenty seasons. Roberts isn’t the problem.
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