LOS ANGELES — Dodger Stadium is buzzing, the series is tilted LA’s way, and Game 3 belongs to Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Before first pitch, Dave Roberts kept everything tight. He talked momentum, roles, and why Yamamoto is the right man for the night.
“We’re in a good spot,” Roberts said. “Guys aren’t too high. Guys aren’t too lax. We’re focused on keeping the momentum and just playing good baseball. I feel good where we’re at.”
The ninth-inning “wheel play” from Game 2 still hung in the air, and Roberts made sure one veteran got his flowers. “He kind of asks me the right questions and he wants to manage at some point,” Roberts said of Miguel Rojas. “He’s really helped Mookie’s growth, speeding up the process because of the nuances of the position and thinking about things that might or might not happen. It’s good to see Mookie think as a shortstop, and Miggy is a big reason why.”
Pitching plans were direct. “Emmet Sheehan and Roki should be out there playing catch right now,” Roberts said. “Once they do that, I’ll talk with the coaches and see where they’re at.” As for emergency starter usage, he drew a clear line. “With those two guys, I’m staying away from that,” he said of Blake Snell and Shohei Ohtani. “They’re not part of any equation I’m thinking through. It’s a game we’re going to do everything we can to win within reason, but I feel good with Yamamoto and the leverage guys I’m going to.”
Lineup construction had a purpose. “I don’t mind Teoscar against Aaron Nola,” Roberts said. “It’s more curveball versus slider. There’s also the thought of Ranger Suárez potentially coming in and taking a chunk of the game. Spacing some of those guys out combats that and puts us in a good position whether they deploy certain guys in the pen or go with Ranger.”
Will Smith’s status was another hinge point. Roberts sounded confident. “The at-bats have been fantastic, especially considering the arms he’s faced and the layoff,” he said. “If I didn’t feel he could finish the game, I wouldn’t have started him. He’s in a good spot.” The plan now is simple. “That’s the plan, but we have to see how it looks afterward,” Roberts said. “We slow-played it so we don’t regress with his health. I’m not surprised he’s here given who he is. The fracture heals in four or five weeks. It’s healed. There’s still some residual discomfort, but he wants to be out there.”
Why Yamamoto for the ball with a chance to sweep? Roberts didn’t hesitate. “He’s very confident,” he said. “He has a pitch mix that can manage lefties and righties, enough velocity to handle this team. He does a great job of managing his emotions, as good as anyone I’ve been around. With the opportunity to close it out, he’s the right guy tonight.”
The ask on Tyler Glasnow was short. “We’re going to stay away from Tyler,” Roberts said. “He won’t be an option tonight.”
Health notes tilted positive. “Miguel Rojas looked really good taking grounders,” Roberts said. “I don’t think there are any limitations with the hamstring. He’ll be ready when called upon.” And Max Muncy is back in the mix with a specific test at hand. “He looks okay,” Roberts said. “The line double the other night is a confidence builder. The walk before that was good. Max at times gets a little too quick. Aaron’s going to throw a bunch of curveballs. Being able to stay back and not get out front is going to be a good test.”
Then came the bottom line. “It’s important,” Roberts said of finishing the job. “You have these guys on their heels and you’re at home. We expect a great, boisterous crowd. We’ve got one of our aces on the mound. The way we’re playing, we want to put these guys away and not let them up for air.”
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