Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — After the Dodgers’ dominant 9-0 win over the Mets in Game 1 of the NLCS, manager Dave Roberts spoke to the media, offering insights on player health, pitching performances, and game strategies.
Jack Flaherty’s stellar pitching was a highlight of the game, with Roberts praising the right-hander’s performance. “It was just a pitching clinic,” Roberts said. “He did a great job of filling up the strike zone with his complete mix, used his fastball when needed, and minimized damage.” Flaherty’s seven innings of scoreless pitching were instrumental in saving the bullpen for future games in the series. “To get seven innings in a long series was huge,” the manager remarked.
The Dodgers’ pitching staff made history by setting a postseason scoreless inning record, and Roberts credited the collective effort. “It’s a complete team effort,” he said, acknowledging not only the pitchers but also the defensive plays, coaching staff, and front office analytics. “I think defensively we’ve been very good, converting outs when needed.” This strong defense was exemplified by Kiké Hernandez’s heads-up play that thwarted a potential Mets rally. “Kiké’s play took the wind out of their sails,” Roberts stated, calling it a “heady baseball play.”
One of the key topics discussed was Gavin Lux’s condition after leaving the game early due to a hip issue. “Lux had a hip flexor tighten up, and we just felt it was best to be cautious,” Roberts explained. While he didn’t confirm Lux’s status for the next game, he added, “I think he’ll be fine. Whether I decide to put him in there or not is still up in the air, but he should be available.”
Roberts addressed the pressure surrounding Flaherty, especially after joining the team midseason. “For us, we’re getting Jack at the perfect time,” he noted. “He’s a veteran who’s been through a lot, highs and lows. We just knew he could handle this market.” Roberts expressed confidence in Flaherty’s ability to thrive in the postseason environment, adding, “The moment just isn’t going to get too big for Jack.”
The offensive execution also stood out, with the Dodgers capitalizing on Mets starter Kodai Senga’s struggles. “You could see Senga just didn’t have his A-stuff tonight,” Roberts said. He noted that the Dodgers took advantage of Senga’s lack of command and non-competitive pitches by taking walks and putting together key at-bats. “The Max Muncy base hit was huge,” Roberts emphasized, praising the team’s approach and the hitting coaches for crafting an effective game plan.
Despite relying on power throughout the regular season, the Dodgers implemented a small-ball approach with two sacrifice bunts early in the game. “It’s playoff baseball,” Roberts said simply. “The postseason is different than the regular season. It’s about 90 feet, giving yourself a chance.”
Looking ahead, Roberts confirmed that Game 2 would be a bullpen game, with Flaherty’s long outing providing flexibility. “Jack being able to go deep opens up a lot of things,” he said, indicating that the bullpen would be well-rested and ready to go.
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