Dodgers Interview: Doc clarifies Vesia status, explains bullpen additions

TORONTO — The Dodgers walked into a roaring building in Toronto on Friday, and Dave Roberts stayed even. He set the tone the way he tends to before big games: specific, measured, and focused on tonight. The topics were clear enough—Blake Snell’s prep, the bullpen without Alex Vesia, and a Blue Jays lineup that puts the ball in play.

On Snell, Roberts sounded impressed. He said the lefty “does a good job with his homework,” that he “has his own process” and is “very well prepared.” He added that Snell “takes in information from Mark and the catchers,” but what separates him is knowing where the limit is: Snell “understands how much he needs versus being overloaded.”

Vesia’s absence brought the room to the human side of October. It was announced earlier that the lefty reliever, a key piece of the bullpen, was going to be away from the team due to a “grave personal matter.” Roberts said the situation is “certainly on our hearts,” that the team “miss him and will be thinking about him,” and that he “is a part of this.” He called it “even more motivation.” On the roster reality, Roberts said it’s “probably the most likely” that Vesia is out for the Series “unless something unforeseen happens,” then returned to the person before the player: with what Vesia is facing, “baseball’s certainly on the back burner,” and the organization handled it in the way they believed was “the best way.”

How do they cover those innings? Roberts kept confidence front and center: “We have a lot of viable options,” he said. “I don’t know what situation will present itself, but I trust all the guys. I really do,” and then, “guys have to step up.”

The idea of pressure came up, given the chance to repeat. Roberts brushed it away and redirected to the task at hand. “None, none whatsoever,” he said when asked what he feels. “Our only focus is winning tonight, and I mean that wholeheartedly. That’s the only thing that we care about right now.” He called it “a big game,” said it would be “a fun crowd,” and added, “Our guys are prepared.” The long view still exists, but he framed it simply: “We got to win four games. So, right now, let’s take care of business and then we’ll see where it all falls out.”

Toronto’s contact profile drew a straight answer. Roberts said it “doesn’t alter” the Dodgers’ approach. He noted the Jays are “aggressive early,” and that with two strikes they “find a way to put the ball in play.” His emphasis was on starting the battle the right way: “We’ve got to make quality pitches early in the count. That’s kind of what it boils down to.”

There are fresh bullpen looks available, and Roberts explained why those choices fit this matchup. About Will Klein, he said, “it’s a plus fastball,” with “a good curveball, good slider,” and it is also newness to these hitters: “it’s something that these guys haven’t seen.” On Edgardo Henriquez, Roberts highlighted power and mix: “It’s velocity. It’s a slider. It’s a sinker. There’s a cut fastball in there,” all aimed at “keep[ing] a couple of those right-hand hitters at bay.”

The conversation turned to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and game-state management. Roberts called Guerrero “one of the best hitters in the game” and said he is “swinging a hot bat.” The plan, in Roberts’ words, is to win the at-bats before the at-bat everyone watches: “It comes down to trying to get those guys out in front of him. If Vlad comes up with guys in scoring position, it certainly makes any job for any pitcher tough. So you just got to really lock in on those first couple guys and try to keep guys off base when he comes up to bat.”

Trey Yesavage’s rapid rise came up next. Roberts said the first time the right-hander hit his radar was “against the Yankees.” What stood out was pure arsenal and presence: “the stuff, the split,” and “a good way about him, a confidence.”

There was also a roster clarification on Tanner Scott. Roberts said it was “more medical,” explaining that the medical side “has not allowed for him to have the ramp up,” and after “a couple bullpens it just wasn’t quite there.” He spelled out the decision math: avoid “the cost of potential injury,” acknowledge how quickly the issue surfaced, and accept that it is “just bad timing unfortunately.”

This is Roberts in World Series mode. He praised Snell’s balance between prep and overload. He spoke plainly and compassionately about Vesia while backing the relievers who will take on more. He outlined the plan for a low-whiff opponent with first-pitch quality and two-strike execution. He pointed to new bullpen weapons and why they fit. He recognized Guerrero’s heat and pushed the focus to traffic prevention. And he reduced the big picture to the first pitch of Game 1. “We’re in a position to do that,” he said of repeating, “but we got to win four games.” Then the part he cares about most: “Our guys are prepared. Let’s take care of business.”

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