Dodgers Interview: Doc talks Dodger All-Stars and picking a starter for the Midsummer Classic

Name: Dodgers Interview: Doc talks Dodger All-Stars and picking a starter for the Midsummer Classic
Uploaded: 2025-07-06T12:24:29-07:00
Channel: Steve Webb
Description: https://youtu.be/pgj9VrwNyf8?si=yCqRc-jFcIyHgJM9 LOS ANGELES -- As the Dodgers push toward the All-Star break, manager Dave Roberts has more on his plate than just daily lineup decisions and injury management. He’s also preparing to manage the National League in this year’s All-Star Game in Atlanta—and that means making key decisions about starting pitchers and navigating the inevitable

Steve Webb

2 minutes read

Los Angeles, CA - July 19,2022: National League All-Star honorary coaches Dave Martinez, left, of the Washington Nationals and Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers watch from the dugout rail during the fourth inning of an MLB All-Star baseball game against the American League All-Stars at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES — As the Dodgers push toward the All-Star break, manager Dave Roberts has more on his plate than just daily lineup decisions and injury management. He’s also preparing to manage the National League in this year’s All-Star Game in Atlanta—and that means making key decisions about starting pitchers and navigating the inevitable lobbying from around the league.

Roberts said he’s keeping a close eye on which of his own Dodgers might be selected as reserves and acknowledged that some deserving candidates may be impacted by recent injuries.

“I am anticipating and hopefully we’ll find out soon enough,” Roberts said before Sunday’s game. “I think we’ve got some deserving guys. Certainly, obviously the Max Muncy injury kind of hurts, but Yamamoto I think is certainly worthy. I think Andy [Pages] is worthy, you know. So we’ll see. Kind of waiting.”

Roberts will have input when it comes to selecting the NL’s starting pitcher, a decision he said he’s still considering carefully. Though he joked around with reporters when asked about Pirates rookie Paul Skenes—he was asked cheekily if he was considering starting a certain “tall guy from Pittsburgh with a moustache.”

“I’m thinking about a tall guy,” was all he said with a grin—he made it clear that the final call will be his alone.

“As far as the starting pitcher, that’s my decision and I’m thinking through them.”

While Roberts doesn’t control the full roster—that’s handled by league rules and fan/player voting—he admitted it can be both a blessing and a relief to have that part out of his hands.

“Fortunately for the manager, I don’t get a choice on the roster,” he said. “That’s good and bad because I can’t kind of just pick my guys, but I don’t have the pressure of hearing from other managers.”

Roberts knows full well that managing the All-Star Game is both an honor and a logistical challenge. With only limited say in the roster, and with managers around the league eager to see their players featured, there’s a balancing act at play. But as always, Roberts is approaching it with professionalism, a sense of humor, and his usual steady demeanor.

In the meantime, he remains focused on getting the Dodgers healthy and finishing the first half strong—before turning his attention to representing the National League on a national stage.

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