Reversal of roles on the high of every workforce’s lineup
The Dodgers’ Huge Three carried the workforce 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 document successful throughout 17 at-bats whereas placing out seven occasions.
Nevertheless, the roles had been flipped in Recreation 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, however, noticed their high 5 hitters get again on observe, ending 7-of-22 with three walks whereas driving six of the workforce’s seven runs.
The Mets have confirmed they’re a harmful workforce with momentum on their aspect. For that cause, Los Angeles desperately wants the highest of its batting order to return to type in Recreation 3.
Dodgers’ loss falls on Roberts
Certain, it is simple 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 contemporary sufficient to start out and can be obtainable later within the sequence if needed. Earlier than Monday’s sport, Roberts instructed reporters that he most well-liked to start out Buehler in Recreation 3 at Citi Subject as a result of two-time All-Star’s “expertise.”
Whereas a good level, it was undoubtedly a danger with the prospect to take a commanding 2-0 lead within the sequence earlier than heading on the street for 3 video games. After all, the transfer to throw a bullpen sport did not pan out, nevertheless it’s potential it may have if Roberts had made a greater resolution within the second inning.
For somebody who cited expertise as a cause 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 in every of Los Angeles’ worst pitchers on the workforce’s NLCS roster. Credit score to the Mets for erupting for 5 runs within the body, however Roberts ought to’ve used one in every of his high-leverage arms.
Roberts’ reluctance to usher in one in every of his higher relievers additionally performed a job 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 sequence. 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.
