Reversal of roles on the high of every group’s lineup
The Dodgers’ Massive Three carried the group in Game 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 a success throughout 17 at-bats whereas hanging out seven instances.
Nevertheless, the roles had been flipped in Sport 2. Los Angeles’ high 5 hitters had 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 high 5 hitters get again on observe, ending 7-of-22 with three walks whereas driving six of the group’s seven runs.
The Mets have confirmed they’re a harmful group with momentum on their aspect. For that purpose, Los Angeles desperately wants the highest of its batting order to return to kind in Sport 3.
Dodgers’ loss falls on Roberts
Certain, it is simple to say in hindsight, however the truth stays that Roberts mismanaged yet 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 could be accessible later within the collection if essential. Earlier than Monday’s sport, Roberts instructed reporters that he most popular to start out Buehler in Sport 3 at Citi Subject as a result of two-time All-Star’s “experience.”
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 highway for 3 video games. After all, the transfer to throw a bullpen sport did not pan out, nevertheless it’s attainable it might have if Roberts had made a greater resolution within the second inning.
For somebody who cited expertise as a purpose to not begin Buehler, Roberts did not appear involved about Knack’s lack thereof. Knack, a 2020 second-round decide, made simply 15 appearances within the common season and was one among Los Angeles’ worst pitchers on the group’s NLCS roster. Credit score to the Mets for erupting for 5 runs within the body, however Roberts ought to’ve used one among his high-leverage arms.
Roberts’ reluctance to herald one among his higher relievers additionally performed a task later within the sport.
Though the Dodgers reduce 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 need 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.
