Reversal of roles on the prime of every crew’s lineup
The Dodgers’ Huge Three carried the crew in Recreation 1, with Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman ending a mixed 5-of-11 on the plate with 5 RBI, three walks and no strikeouts. In the meantime, the highest half of New York’s lineup was silent, failing to report successful throughout 17 at-bats whereas hanging out seven occasions.
Nevertheless, the roles have been flipped in Recreation 2. Los Angeles’ prime 5 hitters have been 0-for-19 with 5 walks and 9 strikeouts, three of which got here within the ninth inning. The Mets, then again, noticed their prime 5 hitters get again on monitor, ending 7-of-22 with three walks whereas driving six of the crew’s seven runs.
The Mets have confirmed they’re a harmful crew with momentum on their aspect. For that motive, Los Angeles desperately wants the highest of its batting order to return to kind in Recreation 3.
Dodgers’ loss falls on Roberts
Certain, it is easy to say in hindsight, however the truth stays that Roberts mismanaged one more postseason sport for the Dodgers.
The choice to throw a bullpen sport was considerably questionable, contemplating right-hander Walker Buehler was recent sufficient to start out and can be out there later within the collection if mandatory. Earlier than Monday’s sport, Roberts instructed reporters that he most popular to start out Buehler in Recreation 3 at Citi Discipline because of the two-time All-Star’s “expertise.”
Whereas a good level, it was undoubtedly a threat with the prospect to take a commanding 2-0 lead within the collection earlier than heading on the street for 3 video games. In fact, the transfer to throw a bullpen sport did not pan out, nevertheless it’s potential it might have if Roberts had made a greater resolution within the second inning.
For somebody who cited expertise as a motive to not begin Buehler, Roberts did not appear involved about Knack’s lack thereof. Knack, a 2020 second-round choose, made simply 15 appearances within the common season and was one in all Los Angeles’ worst pitchers on the crew’s NLCS roster. Credit score to the Mets for erupting for 5 runs within the body, however Roberts ought to’ve used one in all his high-leverage arms.
Roberts’ reluctance to usher in one in all his higher relievers additionally performed a task later within the sport.
Though the Dodgers lower New York’s result in 6-3 within the sixth, Roberts surprisingly did not name on his high-leverage arms. Roberts caught with right-hander Brent Honeywell for the seventh inning earlier than turning to Edgardo Henriquez, a rookie who made three appearances within the common season, which proved expensive because the Mets tacked on an insurance coverage run within the ninth.
Maybe Roberts did not wish to present his hand for later within the collection. Nonetheless, managing as if the sport was out of attain whereas solely down by three runs was an enormous mistake, particularly with an off day on Tuesday.
