Jake Dicker
For the first time in his tenure, I would understand if Dave Roberts was fired.
I have always supported Doc and his decisions. For years, I have understood his managerial moves and done my best to explain his reasoning to those screaming for his firing.
I do not believe the Dodgers lost the 2017 World Series due to decisions made by Roberts. In Game 2, Doc had the best closer in baseball on the mound with a lead in the 9th inning. At that point, it is up to Kenley to execute. He didn’t.
Kershaw failed to execute in Game 5, and Yu Darvish was tipping pitches throughout the series. His decision to start Darvish in Game 7 remains heavily criticized, due to Darvish’s horrific outing in Game 3. It is hard to believe this is a decision Roberts would’ve made on his own. The front office is constantly in his ear. The Dodgers acquired Darvish for “Game 7 of the World Series” type moments. I had no problem with the decision to give him the ball, nobody knew he was tipping pitches.
In 2018, Roberts returned to the World Series and was beat by a much better Red Sox team. Simply put, the Dodgers never had a chance to win that series. Boston won 16 more games than the Dodgers in 2018, and were flat out dominant all season. Roberts’ decision to remove Rich Hill in Game 4 will forever be questioned, but regardless, it is hard to imagine a scenario that results in the Dodgers winning the series.
Last night, everything changed.
Roberts mishandled the bullpen worse than I’ve ever seen, and it resulted in a first round exit. After reaching two straight Fall Classics, Roberts led the Dodgers to a 106-56 record. None of this matters, as the entire season will be remembered by the absolute catastrophe that was innings 8-10 in Game 5.
The Dodgers’ roster is incredibly talented, and frankly, the team would be a favorite to make the playoffs no matter who was calling the shots. There is too much talent on this roster to be losing in the NLDS. This team needs a manager who will utilize his players to the best of their abilities and put them in the best situations to win games. Last night, Roberts failed to do that, but that doesn’t mean he is incapable of doing so.
After setting a franchise wins record, failing to win a playoff series is just unacceptable. Has a franchise ever fired a manager after winning four division titles in four years, while reaching the World Series twice? Sounds crazy, but would be understandable given the circumstances.
Do I think it happens? No. Prior to this season, Roberts was extended through 2022, and management loves him. He has had a crazy amount of success in his young managerial career. It is safe to say Roberts has been the best manager in LA since Lasorda. Although he made some bad decisions last night, in a really big spot, he has been very good for the organization.
I fully expect that it will be Dave Roberts signing the lineup card on Opening Day in 2020, whether we like it or not.
My wife & I watched almost every game last year and this year. I have been watching and going to Dodger games for a great part of my life since 1958 when they moved here. There have been many changes over the years going to different strategies to better home run hitters. I have always said home runs aren’t going to win all the games. And when it came to it the Dodgers lost many games because they kept trying to hit the all-mighty homer. For the money they paid these players they should have been able to hit all the homers they wanted and won all the games they wanted. The game has to go back to basics. the Dodgers didn’t use them nearly enough times. Stealing bases hit & run, run & hit, bunt the runner over to the next base( sacrifice), the squeeze! And many other real ballplayers are meant to do. Like the old saying used to be, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. A group of players gets you the playoffs, by Sept half of the group has been replaced and it isn’t the same anymore. These Rookies didn’t prove to me that they deserved to play in the playoffs and it showed. I still believe management stick their hands where they don’t belong. Let the manager and his coaches run the game. I think management forces managers to use certain players because of their multi contracts even if the player isn’t doing the job. Bring back the old Dodger stratagies.