Dodgers Interview: Roberts Breaks Down Wild Win in Clincher
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers needed every last pitch and every last inch. In an eleven-inning grinder at Chavez Ravine, Dave Roberts’ club found just enough to finish off Philadelphia and take the series. After it ended 2–1, the manager kept the tone steady. He praised the opponent, lifted up his own guys, and explained the choices that carried the night.
“We want to congratulate the Phillies on a tremendous season,” Roberts opened. “First-class organization. It was a war, it was a battle, and an instant classic. I just want to congratulate those guys on a great year.”
From there he went straight to his stopper. “You’re talking about one of the great all-time appearances out of the pen that I can remember,” Roberts said of Roki Sasaki. “Given where he started this year and what he is as a starting pitcher, to go one inning, two innings, and then three innings and do what he did gave us a huge boost. I can’t speak enough to his growth and his contribution to this club. We’re starting to see something really special in him, and he’s just scratching the surface.”
Asked if the plan was always to stretch Sasaki, Roberts admitted the thinking evolved. “When we went to him, I was thinking two. Then I felt that with the stuff and where the game was, he could handle us pushing him. He didn’t bat an eye. He was ready and he didn’t run from it. In that moment in the ninth inning, he was the best option to keep this game going.”
The manager showed a rare burst of emotion as Sasaki walked off. “I was pure elation,” he said. “In April and May Roki was sitting at the end of the dugout, injured, not performing well. We stuck with him, built a relationship, and now to see him go three innings as our closer, I just felt so happy for him.” Roberts added that the right-hander has opened up as the season wore on. “He’s very shy and reserved, but since coming back he’s showing more of who he is. The toughness is there, he’s embracing it, and his teammates couldn’t be more excited.”
Roberts also tipped his cap to Tyler Glasnow. “I couldn’t be more excited for Tyler,” he said. “Last year he was on the outside looking in and wanted to be a part of things. All offseason and this season he couldn’t wait for this moment. He was prepared physically and mentally, and today was his moment.” Why the hook after six at only 83 pitches? “He had cramps in the fifth and the sixth,” Roberts explained. “He hasn’t thrown that many pitches in a month. With the cramps, we pushed him as far as I wanted to push him.”
The 11th brought one more tightrope. “I thought Alex Vesia made pitches when he needed to,” Roberts said. “Bader put forth a great at-bat. The walk to Harper and the passed ball created some stress, and it ends up an eight or nine-pitch at-bat. Alex made a great pitch to punch him. Great competition.”
Roberts also walked through the winning rally. “Kiké took one of his best at-bats of the year,” he said. “Very tough on right-handed hitters, down in the count, and he earned a walk. Andy has been scuffling, but he kept fighting and put the ball in play to create something. Tommy Edman does a great job getting on base. We just kept fighting and those guys gave us everything they had.” He made sure to single out the bench spark. “Alex Call is a winner,” Roberts said. “He’s prepared for whatever situation I ask of him. Him getting hit by a pitch, the hit, he’s always doing something to help you win baseball games.”
On the other side, Roberts showed empathy for Orion Kerkering’s miscue. “It’s brutal,” he said. “It’s a PFP and he’s done it a thousand times. He was so focused on getting the hitter he just forgot the situation. He’s a stud and has had a heck of a year. We’re happy with the result, but you definitely feel for a player.”
As the room looked ahead, Roberts kept the rotation question open. “We’re going to talk about it,” he said when asked if Shohei would start Game 1 of the next round. “That’s probably the case, but we don’t know yet.”
The message never wavered. “It was a battle all the way through the end,” Roberts said. “Our guys kept fighting, and they gave us everything they had.”
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