Dave Roberts, the Dodgers' Unlikely Playoff X-Factor
With a deep pitching staff and a championship pedigree, manager Dave Roberts is poised to guide the Los Angeles Dodgers through another postseason run.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts feels he is just scratching the surface of his capabilities as a coach at age 53, even as he prepares to lead the team into another postseason. Roberts, who has guided the Dodgers to the playoffs in all 11 of his seasons, ranks third all-time in playoff wins for a manager with 59.
Roberts' experience has given him a unique perspective on October baseball, which he described as having "slowed down." This allows him to anticipate outcomes and make decisions with less pressure. This season, the Dodgers boast a strong starting rotation including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, along with reliable bullpen arms Tanner Scott and Roki Sasaki. The primary challenge for Roberts will be managing the innings not covered by these key pitchers.
Last postseason, the Dodgers relied heavily on their starters, with many pitching deep into games and some, like Yamamoto, even pitching in relief after stellar starts. While a repeat performance is possible, Roberts acknowledges it may not be realistic to expect the same level of extraordinary pitching. This year, the team's bullpen offers more potential middle relief options, but each carries significant risk.
Several bullpen arms present unique challenges. Edwin Diaz had a difficult regular season, while Edgardo Henriquez, the team's hardest thrower, returned from a back injury. Alex Vesia's walk rate was his highest in five years, Evan Phillips has shown closing potential but is prone to home runs, and converted starter Justin Wrobleski struggled in the latter half of the season. Roberts will be tasked with navigating these relievers through crucial middle innings, potentially calling on Scott for specific matchups against left-handed hitters.
The Dodgers' situation this postseason is expected to be less chaotic than in 2024. During their World Series run that year, the team had a limited number of reliable starting pitchers, forcing them into bullpen games frequently and requiring Roberts to "punt" certain games to preserve his limited pitching staff. Despite the apparent disorder, Roberts maintained a clear head, a skill he feels has improved with experience.
Roberts attributes his development as a manager to the wisdom gained over time, contrasting it with the typical decline athletes experience. He believes his decision-making and feel for the game have become even sharper. As the Dodgers aim for a potential three-peat, their reliance on Roberts' seasoned leadership may be greater than ever.