Cody Snavely
Position players
Catchers (2): Will Smith, Austin Barnes
Infielders (4): Freddie Freeman, Gavin Lux, Miguel Rojas, Max Muncy
Outfielders (3): Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Andy Pages
Utility (3): Tommy Edman, Chris Taylor, Enrique Hernández
Designated Hitter (1): Shohei Ohtani
The position player group is very straightforward going into October, as the Dodgers made multiple roster moves throughout August and September to reach the final thirteen-group position player pool.
In August, the Dodgers opted to DFA veteran outfielder Jason Heyward, making the choice to go with either rookie Andy Pages or defensive guru Kevin Kiermaier. However, after Kiermaier’s finger injury and the hot stretch by Andy Pages in late September, batting .273 with six hits, three homers, seven RBIs, and nine runs scored over his last seven games and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts statements saying it would be hard to imagine Pages not on the postseason roster I imagine they’ll go with him.
Another question mark concerns the status of Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas, who both ended the regular season with two severe injuries.
In the series finale against the San Diego Padres, Freeman rolled his ankle trying to beat out an infield single, but after a wild throw by Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth, which pulled Luis Arráez off the bag, colliding with Freeman.
After the game, when the Dodgers were celebrating, Freeman was seen in a walking boot and crutches. However, after getting an MRI, he stated that it was just a sprain. He and the Dodgers training staff expect that with the time off, he and the Dodgers should be ready by game one of the National League Division Series. However, if Freeman is not ready, Roberts indicated that Max Muncy would take over the position.
Miguel Rojas, the 36-year-old shortstop, has been battling numerous injuries throughout the long season, being placed on the 10-day injured list with forearm issues after the all-star break, lingering knee pain, and now a groin injury.
Rojas, however, is still optimistic that he’ll be able to manage the pain and play through the injury in the postseason after getting a cortisone injection last week. However, he will likely need offseason surgery. If Rojas is unable to play, expect Tommy Edman to get the bulk of starts at short and either Kiermaier or James Outman to be added to the roster.
Pitching
Starters (4): Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Landon Knack
Relievers (9): Anthony Banda, Ryan Brasier, Daniel Hudson, Joe Kelly, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez
Now, this is where things get interesting or depressing—you get to pick. Like the position player side, I think the Dodgers will go with a traditional thirteen-player split between the pitchers. The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been decimated with numerous injuries throughout the season, most of which were in the starting rotation.
As we all already know, the Dodgers will be without two key starting pitchers: Tyler Glasnow (right elbow sprain) and Gavin Stone (shoulder inflammation), who were each transferred to the 60-day injured list in September.
The rotation has already been confirmed. Dave Roberts stated it would be a combination of Flaherty, Yamamoto, Buehler, and rookie Landon Knack. What order remains to be seen remains to be seen, but I would bet my money that Flaherty gets the game on the nod.
The bullpen is expected to be very busy. They have been pitching the fourth most innings in the National League (648.0) all season, and the same names are likely to make the roster, as we saw in September.
The big question mark is whether 22-year-old pitcher Edgardo Henriquez will make the roster. Dave Roberts called him the secret weapon during the San Diego Padres’ three-game series.
In the final two weeks of the season, Henriquez allowed only one run in 3.1 innings of work, collecting five strikeouts along the way. The young righty has a powerful fastball that has topped out at 104mph this season and a wicked slider, which could be great in a one-inning sample size as he has struggled with command in the minors.
Outside looking in
Kevin Kiermaier– As mentioned earlier, it is hard to find a spot for Kiermaier if Andy Pages is on the postseason roster. If the Dodgers opt for a glove-first approach, then adding the veteran center fielder seems like a no-brainer, and with him hitting .333 over his last ten games, the Dodgers could feel they have enough with the bat to get by. The finger injury could’ve been the final blow to Kiermaier’s career, who was seen by many fans as Jason Heyward’s replacement.
Ben Casparius– In a short five-game series with two off days in between, the Dodgers can get by with just four starting pitchers and burning their bullpen. Casparius has been a blessing for the Dodgers down the stretch, eating plenty of innings during bullpen games, but that won’t be needed in a short series such as the NLDS. However, if the Dodgers advance, I would say the chances of seeing Casparius on the National League Championship Series roster is a lock.
Michael Grove– Similar to Casparius, Grove could serve as the Dodgers’ long relief in the bullpen. Still, after a mediocre season that saw the righty post a 5.12 ERA in fifty-one innings, he should not be close to sniffing the postseason.
Tony Gonsolin– Dodgers manager Dave Roberts already confirmed that righty Tony Gonsolin, who made three minor league starts in September, will not be a factor in the first round of the postseason. However, he will continue throwing, facing hitters, and traveling with the team and could be an option for the NLCS or World Series if the team makes it that far.
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