SEATTLE — The Dodgers’ greatest questions within the remaining days of the common season stay well being associated.
In a 5-3 win in opposition to the Seattle Mariners on Saturday evening, Max Muncy missed a third-straight sport whereas battling leg issues, although the Dodgers are nonetheless optimistic he’ll be prepared for Tuesday’s postseason opener.
Utilityman Tommy Edman did return to the lineup, however solely as designated hitter as he continues to nurse his lengthy bothersome ankle harm.
And within the batting cage pregame, Will Smith resumed taking swings, however solely off softer foam balls, persevering with to depart his standing for subsequent week doubtful as he tries to return from a proper hand fracture.
“I guess I’m still in the hope stage right now with his availability on Tuesday,” supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned.
Past that, nevertheless, the Dodgers produce other roster choices to make earlier than they open their best-of-three wild-card sequence. Coming into the ultimate day of the common season, it’s nonetheless unclear precisely what their preliminary postseason roster will appear to be.
The largest uncertainties revolve across the pitching workers, and a bullpen specifically that has been higher in current days, together with 9 straight strikeouts to finish Saturday’s sport.
Whereas the Dodgers’ roster discussions stay fluid, Roberts certain made it sound on Friday evening like embattled nearer Tanner Scott and rookie phenom Roki Sasaki shall be on the playoff roster. He additionally confirmed that Emmet Sheehan will shift to the bullpen, as anticipated. Veterans Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia are additionally undoubtedly locks, even contemplating Treinen’s struggles (he seemed sharp in a scoreless inning Saturday, working round a leadoff single within the seventh with three strikeouts).
From there, although, there are a number of reduction candidates for the Dodgers to judge — particularly as they take into account potential matchup preferences for the wild-card spherical.
In the mean time, the membership has a possible overabundance of left-handed relievers. Along with Vesia and Scott, rookies Jack Dreyer and Justin Wrobleski, plus resurgent veteran Anthony Banda, are additionally populating the bullpen at the moment. Clayton Kershaw, who will make his remaining profession regular-season begin Sunday, may very well be a candidate to pitch in reduction in October, as properly.
From the best facet, the membership has simply three lively relievers along with Sheehan: Treinen, Sasaki, and hard-throwing rookie Edgardo Henriquez (who earned his first save of the season Saturday by putting out the facet within the ninth).
There are a pair methods the Dodgers may stability out their right-handed depth, in the event that they really feel the necessity.
One can be utilizing Tyler Glasnow out of the bullpen within the wild-card spherical — an choice the Dodgers preserved Saturday by eradicating him from his remaining regular-season begin after simply three innings.
One other identify Roberts threw into the combo: Rookie Ben Casparius, who was demoted to the minors three weeks in the past however stays a “viable candidate” to pitch within the postseason as a weapon in opposition to right-handed hitters. He’s scheduled to affix the workforce for a exercise Monday again in Los Angeles.
Even when Casparius isn’t included on the wild-card roster, Roberts additionally mentioned that he’ll stay in consideration if the Dodgers are to advance.
“Ben went to triple A and did exactly what we asked him to do: Dominate right-handed hitters,” Roberts mentioned. “Give a lot of credit to Ben.”
The Dodgers’ rotation order can be a lingering unknown, with Roberts saying the workforce will play issues “close to the vest” earlier than publicly asserting their Recreation 1 starter.
Shohei Ohtani is an choice to open the sequence, having final pitched on Tuesday (precisely one week earlier than Recreation 1 will happen). He threw a bullpen session Saturday earlier than getting the evening off at T-Cell Park.
Ohtani completed the common season giving up only one run over his remaining 4 begins as a pitcher, and was stretched out to 6 innings final week in what was his longest outing since getting back from a second profession Tommy John surgical procedure.
Nevertheless, there are two-way dynamics for the Dodgers to contemplate. They may, as an example, elect to save lots of Ohtani for a possible Recreation 3, and permit him to focus solely on hitting within the sequence’ first two video games. However then, they’d additionally danger getting eradicated earlier than he ever pitches.
Among the many place participant group, there may very well be but extra choices if the Dodgers elect to hold a most allotment of 13 pitchers.
To little shock, Roberts mentioned he envisions a postseason position for longtime October hero Kiké Hernández, who had been hitting simply .191 this season earlier than amassing six hits during the last three days (together with a double on Thursday, a house run Friday and two extra doubles Saturday, the latter of which plated two runs to interrupt a ninth-inning tie).
Disappointing offseason signing Michael Conforto has additionally lately helped his case, hitting .273 over his final 16 video games after recording a single and a stroll Saturday.
If the Dodgers do must trim a hitter, bench gamers akin to Alex Name or Hyeseong Kim may very well be on the roster fringes; although they supply worth with their contact potential, protection and pace.
Over the following 72 hours, these are all questions the Dodgers should reply. For now — publicly no less than — they’re kicking the can down the highway so long as they’ll.
