PHILADELPHIA, PA—With Game One of the National League Division Series wrapped up between the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, Game Two is set to be another must-watch action as the Phillies look to avoid going down 2-0 in the series.
Through three games, the Dodgers’ bullpen has not used many arms as the offense has provided Dodgers manager Dave Roberts with a cushion to save some of his high-leverage arms for more critical situations.
However, from the Wild Card Series last week to the NLDS this week, we’ve seen a few changes to that makeup in the ‘pen, such as the inclusion of left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw and Anthony Banda.
Those two additions meant the team had to decide who would be left off, especially since the team was sticking with the same positional player split from the last series.
Those two were young pitchers Justin Wrobleski and Edguardo Henriquez, but what went into that decision?
“With Enriquez, it was a little bit easier in the sense of the way they construct their lineup. It’s heavy left. You’ve got Glas in the ‘pen for this game, we’ve got some other right-handers,” Roberts said of taking Henriquez off for the Dodgers’ matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“There’s a lot of left-handed lanes. I think with Wrobo it’s difficult because he’s performed so well. And I can’t really justify it, to be honest with you. I think we just wanted Clayton. Clayton’s earned the opportunity to be on this roster. I’m going to use him accordingly.
“And also with Banda, just kind of his skillset is to really take down left-handed hitters, specifically. So that was kind of the thought on both of those guys.”
The combination of Kershaw and Banda gives the Dodgers bullpen five left-handed options in the bullpen. That is a strategic plan to count’ left-handed sluggers like Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
Neither arm appeared in Game One, thanks to the quality start by Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow being the first man used from the ‘pen, but as the series goes on, expect to see both Kershaw and Banda used.
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