Fan since the 50s, Dave Roberts seems like a good person, but he has made some major play off mistakes the last few years, some thing is not right to end up where we are for the last 3 years with this team, dodgers have the money, get the right people and get Scoscia.
John - 5 years ago
As a huge LA Dodgers fan since the '60s Kofax/Drysdale/Maury Wills era.. it hurts me to see the Dodgers "flame out" like this. Fortunately, this is only a game.. but, "this" series "game management" was very telling from game 2. I suppose I am "old school" on this but it's simple.. when you don't score runs or prevent the opposition from scoring less.. we lose. There's plenty of blame to share throughout the entire Dodger organization on this.
stanley orenstein - 5 years ago
*80 year as dodger fan. I was able to walk to Ebbetts Field. Great managers like Leo,Tommy, Walter and smart management the likes of Branch Rickey and so on. The good , bad and ugly. I enjoyed the these past few seasons even with the sad endings in the post season. The outcome after hard thought realization, Roberts must go. Talent and luck took them to the brink of greatness. Poor on field management brought them down.
Mike bryan - 5 years ago
While I appreciate the successes the Dodgers have had over the last 5 years during the regular season, it’s time to turn the page on Dave Roberts. He hasn’t demonstrated the game management skills and decisiveness to guide some very talented teams through the playoffs and WS. There’s been too much negative playoff history accumulated under his watch and that feeling seems to bleed into the dugout when things get tough. Time to shake it up.
sam teller - 5 years ago
I have been a Dodger fan since 1946, when they lost to the Cards in a playoff. They have also lost two playoffs to the Giants (1951 and 1962); lost the pennant on the final day of the season in 1950 to the Phillies, and in 1980, LaSorda started Dave Goltz (when he had Fernando rested), losing that pennant also. Also, 1985 when LaSorda let Neidnefuhr pitch to Jack Clark who homered to win that playoff. But among all of these losses, many attributed to the then manager, this was the worst, and substantially caused by Roberts, in ways other than his pitching decisions. I suppose he never wants to hit and run, because of the vast amount of strikeouts, but what about the bunt? In two innings we had a man on second with none out; why not call for a bunt to get Bellinger to 3d? Why not have Seager bunt against the shift? Why let Taylor bat when he strikes out 50% of the time. Why not bench Pollack earlier and play Kike who does well in the post season? Too bad there are no do overs.
Ed - 5 years ago
I'm a long time cub fan so disappointment is normal for me. Watching the Dodgers in the post season is always enjoyable for me. I'll make a suggestion- not joe maddon. He is the ultimate example of playing the same underperforming players over and over and over just because he likes them. The Cubs won the World Series in spite of his gross mismanaging . Go for joe girardi. He knows the game and plays to win.
Lou-Dodger - 5 years ago
Houston's analysis of the game is as good as any I have read. Too bad so much of it is true!!!!! Roberts handles the egos very well. A good trait for a manager to have. Unfortunately, in major games, he plays not to lose rather than to win. To me, the most glaring issue was the absence of Kolarek in yesterday's game. Obviously, Kersh is not what he once was/ Give him the one inning and then remove him. Kersh is treated like the pitcher he was 6 years ago; those days are gone. Maeda and Kolarek were ready, and both have been a cut above this year. Maybe now Friedman will spend some of the money in the coffers to get a good relief pitcher. Its a sad day!!!
Ramz86 - 5 years ago
3 consecutive years of mismanagement and ownership has cost us multiple WS.. FIRST you sign garbage Darvish instead of Verlander ..enough said but I will continue ..post season: its clear Darvish is tipping his pitches and you leave him out there..THE VERLANDER DECISION + Roberts mismanagement =out #1
Boston series ..up against a great team but Roberts again cant read his pitchers ...Kershaw melts down ..obviously he doesnt have it like he use to in his prime..
=everybody gets one I can live with that
OUT #2
Offseason you resign Kershaw when his pitching speed is clearly declining .. But hes a Dodger Legend I get it
Trade deadline we fail to address the Bullpen
GAME 5 LAST NIGHT TO MAKE UP FOR BAD SIGNINGS AND MISMANAGEMENT
Dave freaking Roberts with Maeda and a specialist warmed up ready to go you go with the mighty freakin KERSHAW and set him up for failure in an attempt to make yourselves look good as ownership and management !
OK tie game Maeda looks good but you go with your new signing Kelly ...everything looks good but then he starts to struggle and you leave him out there to die and give up a GRANDSLAM!
OUT #3
DODGER FANS DESERVE MORE ..WE BLEED BLUE BUT EVENTUALLY WE NEED A WS TO STOP THE BLEEDING
Alan - 5 years ago
Roberts needs to go now. But the Dodgers will keep him. There would be too much blowback to firing an African-American manager, even if it’s for genuine performance issues.
Steve Hartsook - 5 years ago
Disappointed but not surprised. Analytics don’t win playoffs, a strong bullpen and small ball win playoffs. We’ll face the same issues next year unless we get a decent bullpen and bats that aren’t swinging for the fences every time up. Sign some legit bullpen pitchers, Gerrot Cole, play players like Max Muncy (he hits righties and lefties) and a manager who is confident enough to play the percentages versus his “feelings”
harold gold - 5 years ago
Fire Roberts .Been a Dodger fan for over 80 tears and saw the first game Jackie Robinson played in Ebbets field,Brooklyn ..Spring training against the NY Yankees
Kershaw was a geat pitcher but no Koufax. It is common knowledge that Kershaws worst innings in the past few years occur early in the game .
THE FIRST 3 INNINGS. Roberts knows that as well as anyone. An ERA of about 6? I hope that the Dodgers hire Mike Scocia (spelling) Harold Gold Santa Monica
Jim E. - 5 years ago
You should start a poll that asks if the Dodgers should re-sign Andrew Friedman. My vote would be NO. Granted, Friedman has strengthened the farm system and developed young talent in the past few years but his Achilles heal was his failure to strengthen the bullpen, which every Dodger fan knew was a team weakness coming into this year. His feeble attempt to address this shortcoming by signing the historically inconsistent Joe Kelly is a prime example of his lack of judgment.
Jaime M Locquiao - 5 years ago
Give Roberts a team with good pitching and defense. He's proven he can take the team to the WS(2), Division and NL Champion. That should be considered. So when you give him tools that there is no guesswork involve - consistent bullpen and closer. We could win it all.
C.M. - 5 years ago
Julio/Jim thanks for the ALL capital letters. Obviously you must be heard. I skip comments with all capitals.
Others do too. Capitals? Come on. Get over it.
Cal Thompson - 5 years ago
Kershaw in Maeda not? Game over. Period. Look at Houston on how to hire starting pitching. So you have weaknesses aka Dave Roberts. He has to go.(analytics)
Chuck Cecil - 5 years ago
Emotions make a lot of people say things as if they were Nostradamus. He is dead. So is Edgar Cayce.
Save the predictions for your grand kids. This season was a blast!!! No doubt! We were in two WS.
I am disappointed - oh duh. But to blame this that or the other is a waste of time. Whiners never get what they want. I am proud to be a Dodger fan. We lost to a team that should have lost the WC. Maybe this is a destiny team? Baseball is bitchen. That's all. Great season. With some luck, gawds grace and the creek dont rise i will watch more seasons. (privileged to watch a '59 WS game.) Colosseum! Dang man want something to moan about.
Doug Brown - 5 years ago
Dave Roberts should NOT be fired--how many managers get their teams into the post-season year after year? Not very many. While he made some bad calls on relief pitching, not many teams make it as far as the Dodgers have under his reign. Their hitting coach needs to be looked at, however. How can so many hitters go cold so quickly and at the same time? The strikeout rate for Dodger hitters was totally unacceptable!
John McCallum - 5 years ago
Fire Dave Roberts? Them an never should've been hired in the first place! Maybe now they'll go out & hire former Dodgers catcher & L.A. Angel's manager Mike Socisa? Cody Bellenger is looking more & more like a great player in the season & a playoff BUM!!! Clayton Kershaw has never been very good at all throughout his entire playoff pitching carrier! And only a couple of players were really hitting the ball well in the post season any way. Seager was a lost puppy at the plate, & my 17 year old grandson could stike him out with ez. Cory was always trying to see if he can put the ball in the parking lot instead of in play. I see a lot of changes coming, & I believe that Roberts, Kershaw, A.J. Jensen, Hill, and a couple of others need to be released from the team. If the Dodgers don't fire Roberts, I'll not cone to or watch a single Dodgers game next season! Because, no matter how well they do in the regular season, Roberts managing in the end will lose out, & the team will fail again! And we now have a lot of great young talent that's being wasted, just like old Tom Lasorta did back in the 70's with Cey, Lopez, Garvey, Yeager, & the others of those Dodgers teams. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't have the right man running the helm, it won't matter!!!
TS - 5 years ago
It is time to fire Roberts! He frequently has been out managed in the playoffs. With teams like Miami, Baltimore, & Detroit does it really mean that much to win 100 games? Once the competition gets tough the Dodgers are exposed. I suggest they hire Mike Scioscia. He has obvious ties to the Dodgers and is a solid manager.
Robert Benson - 5 years ago
Venting here. I believe that the Dodgers have the best talent in MLB and have won in spite of Dave Roberts and not because of him as witnessed in the last three playoffs.
1. Keep starting Pollack in the playoffs. 0-15, 1 Walk, 12 K, 0 Hits. When he finally replaced him with another RH hitter (Kiki) he went 3/6.
2. Walked Soto intentional loading bases after Kershaw gave up the HR while Kolarek sat on the bench. Soto was 0-3 against him with 2Ks.
3. Kershaw gave up a career high 28 HRs this year with most of them coming in the first and second innings. Once he got going he was fine but definitely hittable in the early innings. His last 8 games of the regular season he gave up 13 HR. Who besides Roberts thought it was a great idea to put him in??? While...
4. You had Madea sitting in the bullpen that had 4Ks in 3.1 innings and an 0.00 ERA. Struck out the side after Kershaws back to backs.
Never going to win anything in the post season with him.
Brian Spooner - 5 years ago
I'm surprised to see the comments suggesting that Kershaw either retire or move on. Granted, he is not himself in the playoffs, but he is a Godsend in the regular season and undeniably still a great pitcher. Yes, he is adjusting to getting older and not being the same over-powering pitcher he once was. All great pitchers adjust and Kershaw will too. For as long as Kershaw has carried the Dodgers, there is no way that I will lose faith in him or his abilities.
JULIO sanguily - 5 years ago
THE PROBLEM WITH THE DODGER LOSS CAN BE BLAMED SQUARELY ON MANAGER ROBERTS.MR ROBERTS IS OF LOW CHARACTER AND WILL.HE FEELS SORRY TO HURT THE FEELINGS OF THE PLAYERS AND DOES NOT MAKE NECESSARY CHANGES,KERSHAW IS TREATED LIKE A HERO,WHICH HE IS NOT ANYMORE,KELLY I THINK HAS A NERVE PROBLEM AND SHOWS UP IN HIS GOOD OR BAD MOOD.WE NEED A NEW FIELD MANAGER WITH CHARACTER.
JULIO sanguily - 5 years ago
THE PROBLEM WITH THE DODGER LOSS CAN BE BLAMED SQUARELY ON MANAGER ROBERTS.MR ROBERTS IS OF LOW CHARACTER AND WILL.HE FEELS SORRY TO HURT THE FEELINGS OF THE PLAYERS AND DOES NOT MAKE NECESSARY CHANGES,KERSHAW IS TREATED LIKE A HERO,WHICH HE IS NOT ANYMORE,KELLY I THINK HAS A NERVE PROBLEM AND SHOWS UP IN HIS GOOD OR BAD MOOD.WE NEED A NEW FIELD MANAGER WITH CHARACTER.
Dick Anderson - 5 years ago
Been a Dodger fan since 1951 and have had a lot of joys and a lot of disappointments but last nights game was the biggest disappointment of all. I have been saying for two years to get rid of Roberts, like everyone says he might be a great guy but not a game manager. He won’t pull a player out of the game because he’s afraid of hurting their feelings. I probably watched all but five or six games this season on MLB at bat but if something isn’t done that will be the last year I watch them.
Susan Curran - 5 years ago
Reading Houston's comments are so validating and all the above comments are so realistic-so how does Dave Roberts get in his bubble and play "nice guy" first and always rather than a Manager that can make quick decisions for the moment and assist his best players ( a ripe roster ) for the specific game to focus and win That Game ---Roberts throughout the season had difficulty reading his players when just an emotional fan at home is yelling for a change and he doesn't want to upset the players/pitchers. Ryu was almost disrespected with the lack of attention Roberts gave him.....I must stop this rant -yes release Roberts, nervous /scared Kelly, poor Garcia,and time consuming poor performance Urias , If a player lacks confidence (Cory looks as if someone had scolded him and Bellinger appeared as if everyone wanted him to hit a Grand Slam each time and he knew he couldn't so then he couldn't hit the ball. Please teach players and coaches to visit the mound for support or assessment when a pitcher is collapsing or tired. Who could be the next manager ?? Thanks for the time and aorta vent.
John - 5 years ago
If I hear "I liked the matchup" again , I will scream.
Roddy O - 5 years ago
3 words: Maddon is Available.
Raymond - 5 years ago
As a life long dodger fan, I was disappointment in last nights game. Roberts definitely has to take most of the blame for the lost. However, I believe that Roberts has done a commendable job, overall, for 5 years. The question the Dodgers have to ask, is that does ONE game justify firing a successful manager, such as Roberts? Roberts has NEVER had a adequate pitching staff to win in the playoffs and is the front office to blame for that??? Kershaw is 75% of what he was a few years ago, Hill is inconsistent, Jansen has been fading in the past 2 years, Kelly has been mostly a bust, Darvish was a complete bust, Morrow was another inconsistent relief pitcher. Thus, it appears that Roberts has gotten into the practice of manipulating pitchers vs managing them, since he arrived. This has caused him to make errors in judgement because of an inadequate pitching staff. I say let Roberts continue as manager, retire Hill, trade Jansen, reduce or retire Kershaw. Lets move forward with May, Groslin, Urias, Ferguson, Ryu, Meada and Buehler.
Jimmy Jordan - 5 years ago
Where is the baseball I grew up with? Where are the bunts, steals and slap singles to the opposite fields. Doc just let them play....and they did, long ball. Its fun to watch until it drys up in the post season where the pitching dominates. The best player on this entire team may be Bellinger, but day to day, I'd rather have Muncy any day and any position. Oh yeah, about Doc Roberts. Pray God gives us another Lasorda who in the midst of his notable tirades about winning, bled blue and DID play for the name on the front of the jersey. Sorry Dave, your time is up. Fan since 1955.
Joe Sevier - 5 years ago
I have been a dodger fan since Don Newcombe went 27-7 and they were in Brooklyn on no television. I said all of that to say this post season is the worst since I started following the dodgers. The bull pen and management of the pen was awful. Dave Roberts analysis used in this game was not even close and he should have known his players well enough to make the right moves. Joe Kelly has not been effective this whole season. Maeda was excellent and pulling him proved to be a mistake. Clayton Kershaw has never been effective during any past post season so why did he put him in the game? Kershaw has never performed well in the post season. If Roberts stays, he should start managing from his gut rather by his analyical data.
Bob Bell - 5 years ago
There are a lot of comments on here about Roberts being too tied to analytics, but some of his worst decisions (IMHO) went counter to the numbers. For example, I was shocked Ryu didn't start game 2, because his record was MUCH better at home than on the road. Kershaw, of the big 3, was the best road pitcher by the numbers. And then leaving Kelley in for a second inning when his more than 1 inning ERA was nearly nine. It almost seems as if Roberts goes by the numbers until crunch time, then makes the wrong gut decision. Maybe I'm a bad fan, but I gave up last night after the 6th inning (when it was 3-1 Dodgers) because I knew the Dodgers wouldn't score again if they played 100 innings and Washington looked like they were starting to chip away. Soto's homer was the ballgame, after that it was just waiting to call the time of death.
John - 5 years ago
Kershaw pitched poorly, so of course he comes in.
Kelly pitched poorly, so of course he comes in.
Adam pitched great, so of course he watches.
Kenta pitched great, so of course he comes in after its too late.
Dodgers will never win a world series with Roberts.
All season long the Dodgers get a baserunner with no or 1 outs, and they don't attempt to steal.
They wait until the batter hits into a double play. Analytics tells them to wait.
Cody finally ignores it and steals 2nd twice.
He is on 3rd with the 3 rd baseman shifted to right field, takes a lead halfway to home plate, but doesn't steal home.
Jackie Robinson is watching screaming STEAL HOME! Don't todays players watch the greats?
James ( Jim ) Carino Jr - 5 years ago
Analytics are great. Look at where they got the Phillies who picked up Harper, Realmuto, Segura and McCutchen during the off season and improved to 81-81 from 80-82. Kapler is now available to take his analytics elsewhere. Seager ( who I picked in a poll to be the World Series MVP) thrice left men in scoring position with a DP and two strikeouts. Bellinger didn't hit but he made a great catch and twice stole a base to get in scoring position with the last time three Ks in a row stranding him there. Looks like Martin and Freese are gone ( as several pointed out) last loss why Taylor and not Freese with his hot bat to pinch hit. Add to that list should be Pollock in a trade. Maybe some American League team might be interested as a DH. Taylor and Hernandez have the same credentials positions wise so maybe two such is one too many. Retaining Ryu and picking up a reliable starter ( Biehler, Ryu,and two of three from May, Gonsolin, Urias plus a newby) and a redo of the BP would be my Gen Mgr moves. I agree with Houston about trying to convince Maeda as a permanent BP fixture. Stripling had his run first half of 2018. Perhaps he could command a good reliever in a trade. If the Nats get by the Cards with the right offer Rendon will stay. Turner probably still has at least one good year left. Improvements are needed. The Mets have a great core of young players and the Nats showed what three effective starters can do in a five game playoff. BTW, I confess the telly went off at the Grand Slam. That already was pretty late on the East Coast for a Dodger fan since 1940
Rachel Ritch - 5 years ago
I knew when Kershaw was told to pitch the game would be over. he is a good pitching not in his early innings.Roberts needs to go. I am so tired of being upset every year.
Joseph Surridge - 5 years ago
Fire Roberts hire Joe Madden or Mike Scioscia....managers who know how to manage.....Roberts mistakes over a 162 game season go unnoticed......However, in short playoff series baseball his bad decision making is obvious......Kershaw should have never come back out after having his moment with the strikeout.....we should have been happy with one inning of Kelly as even that was a surprise......Pollack should never have been allowed to continue to come to bat.............
Why is it that all of the diehard dodger baseball fans can see this stuff but the manager is clueless..
Shanen Prout - 5 years ago
Terminate Roberts pronto. Nice guy, but awful post-season manager. Kershaw should just retire rather than return for another season or two as the #3 or 4 starter in the regular season but provide no value in the post-season. Dump Pollack, if we can. Re-sign Freese for another year. Keep Seager and Taylor. They are very good players who just need to mature and learn more plate discipline.
Obviously the Dodgers need to acquire numerous talented pitchers in the off-season. Hill probably retires and Kershaw may too. We will need another one or two starters, plus several bullpen guys. Heck, we probably need a closer too, as Jensen likely has only one more good season in him.
Big $$$ to spend in the off-season. And a whole lot of soul-searching. Looks like 'dem Bums are back.
Jose cazares - 5 years ago
Enough said. I’ll hit management in the wallet.
I called today and cancelled my season tickets
For next year.
If management thinks they can get away with all of these bonehead mistakes and we will continue
To put up with them well guess what...I’ll keep my money in my wallet.
Mike M - 5 years ago
Roberts should go, but he won't. The real problem in the Dodgers organization starts at the top with Stan Kasten. He has publicly stated that the goal is to get to the playoffs and hope for a hot hand. This approach worked once in 16 years in Atlanta and is 0 for in LA. Until the front office recognizes that analytics that work over a 162 game regular season don't apply in October Dodgers fans will be treated to annual October horror stories.
George fan since 1955 - 5 years ago
Hindsight is always very very good. I suspect the front office has been told by the owners how they want the team to be run. Keep the prospects, limit luxury tax, etc. Everyone is an expert the next day. Roberts should not be fired! The hitting coach should not be fired!! Many 0f the fans should be fired!!!!!
Paul Duron - 5 years ago
Long time Dodger fan. Roberts failed to place the best players on the field. In the late innings Russell Martin should have replaced Smith. Martin had been hitting the ball well during the series. I agree Kershaw should NOT have been in the game the following inning. He should have been pulled after he allowed the homerun by Rendon. Next season get Cole from the Astros whatever it will cost the Dodgers. He is someone local and will have an instant following. Yes Maeda should be made a middle reliever. The Dodgers would have still won the series if Kershaw had not been kept too long. Pitching still matters over hitting. Roberts did NOT make the right decisions. Sorry but he has to go plan and simple.
DS - 5 years ago
I posted on FB last night that everybody knew Kershaw would give up those home runs except Dave Roberts. I have gotten so sick of the "I'm using this player who has been playing lousy to show him I have confidence in him" attitude. It's a nice thing to build up someone's confidence, but NOT during crucial games!
Robert Tate - 5 years ago
I agree that Roberts is a poor on the field manager who has shown to make very bad decisions. Look back 2 years and see how he managed against the Astro’s and despite evidence that Darvish was not pitching well starts him in the final most important game. How about taking Hill out numerous times when he was pitching great with a low pitch count because of his theory about pitching to the the lineup for the third go around changing lineups daily is an absolute joke He had no business using Kershaw as a reliever when his pat record shows he is not effective in the first 2 innings like game 2 and he had been very prone to giving up the home runs That is last thing you want to have for a reliever in the deciding game. It is great to show your players you believe in them but when there is nothing to show that they don’t have bad tendencies you don’t gamble in the playoffs. Hill should nit have been put on post season roster and Roberts looked at game 4 as a good game to test Hill when it was more important to go with one of your 3 starters. Roberts doesn’t play his hot hands and he will never play small ball with his team even if the situation screams for small ball. He has to go
I am a diehard Dodgers fan living in Atlanta. My son, Alex, says he is a 4th generation Dodgers fan. I told him years ago this team will bring you great joy and break your heart. Last night was not the sledgehammer administered to the Braves, but a crueler form of death by lengthy torture. One point I havn't heard anyone make, and Roberts didn't address, is why didn't he double switch when he brought in Maeda. That would give the option of keeping Maeda in and not having to have him hit. ( Did walter Alston develop the double switch?) Second, When it left the bat, I thought Smith had won the game. Several Dodgers jumped the rail, and...it died in the cool night air, like Muncy's and Seager's flies late in game 4. Then, Pederson's liner in game 4, baseball is a game of inch. Finally, Bellinger, Seager, Pollack were missing in action offensively. Under the circumstances, it is surprising that the Dodgers should have won this series. And the Cards get to host? What a joke?
Scott Davenport - 5 years ago
I like Roberts, but it is probably time to fire him. Maddon would be an excellent choice.
I used to think that Kershaw would be better in the bullpen in the latter stages of his career like Eckersley, but I didn’t know about his poor first two innings statistics.
Kershaw is a nice guy, great player in regular season, and seems to get too amped up in the post season (even more with his continuous track record). I’m from the Dallas area, and he grew up in a very rich tony neighborhood (Highland Park) that is secluded from the rest of East Texas like primadonnas. It’s a veritable fortress of the 1%.
I think this is why Kershaw is a terrible leader. He’s a silver spooner.
Trade him.
He ran off Puig
Run him off.
Sorry I feel this way.
I’m heartbroken and mad.
True Blue Dodger fan since 1985, and in soul since 1941. Best franchise ever. We broke the color barrier, and ruled both coasts. We have a terrific organization with more great farmhands coming up to be the next superstars.
We will be back!
WE WILL BE CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!!!!!
Don Lucas - 5 years ago
95% of all fans from the other 31 teams would be ecstatic over 7 division titles and 2 trips to the World Series. Roberts should not go. He’s proven that he can win consistently. The best teams in baseball are not guaranteed the World Series. I’ve followed and loved the Dodgers since 1955 and every Dodger manager since then had multiple teams capable of winning the series and few did. I don’t know what the percentage is but I’m guessing that less than 50% of the “best teams in baseball have claimed the series. Many times a team gets hot a playoff time and wins it all or knocks off the best or a better team. I feel the Dodgers (and many other heavily favored teams put too much pressure on themselves sometimes. If Tampa Bay wins tonight, 3 of the 4 favored teams would have lost in round 1. Keep Roberts, keep winning division titles and work hard to get better in pressure situations!
Curtis L Cronkhite - 5 years ago
Roberts must go —-just horrible
under pressure. Sack him without delay. Freidman is not as good as he thinks and let’s hope he walks.
Kershaw is huge disappointment — just let him go ... he’ll be a hall of famer with post season asterisk. He’s had years to learn a change up like Price did last year —-same for Jansen to compensate for reduced velocity. Both think their sliders/cutters still work at lower velocity... hitters know otherwise.
Pollack and Kelly basically no value added. Bellinger needs to mature emotionally which comes with age and Seager is a mediocre player all around —let him go and rely on farm prospects. Taylor is a strikeout artist.... say goodbye. Hope Freese returns as real value.
Dodger Blue since ‘58 and not getting any younger. Replace poor performing millionaires with a worthy few.
Tom Lewis - 5 years ago
I believe LAD management/ ownership is primarily interested in winning division and being reasonably competitive in post season. Anything beyond that involves big contract commitments and heavy dose of luck. I think DR is just the type of manager that ownership wants- diplomatic, polite, and professional.
Meredith Peake - 5 years ago
What a painful game to watch. I'm not an expert at baseball, but you don't have to be, to know that Clayton Kershaw should have stayed on the bench after his inning ending strikeout. So very sad. And I still don't see why Joe Kelly was still out there after walking a man. I don't know what the statistics said, but my gut knew it was going nowhere good. Reminded me of the Yu Darvish game. I knew he was going to blow that one as well. Here's to picking up some new pitchers in the off season and some new insights from Dave Roberts on post-season play. I'm still a Dodgers fan and will be until we get a major league team here in Portland OR.
jim schaeffer - 5 years ago
GREATEST SCREW UP AS A MANAGER EVER ON FILE. WHY HILL PITCHING???? WHY kERSHAW,???? WHY KELLY???? WHY NOT LEAVE MEADA IN ???? WHY PLAY POLICKER@ALL ???? WHY NOT USE KOLACKER AND SAVE HOME RUNS.????? WHY SEAGER NOT SAT DOWN.????? wHY NOT SIT CODY DOWN IN GAME 2.AND REINSTATE IN GAME 4.????. WHY IN THE HELL DID POLICKER PINCH HIT. ????? GET RID OF POLICKER, WHITE ,MARTIN,JEDD, AND THE REST OF THE OVER THE HILL GANG. MAKE SURE TO HAVE UP COMING 3RD BASE. SEAGER WAS A DISAPOINTMENT, AFTER ALL THE HIPE ABOUT HIM. HAD MADCHAO. ????? NOTHING NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT ROBERTS,HE DOES KNOW HIS ASS FROM THE BULL PEN. GET MANDON OR M. SOCICA., FIRE FRIEDMAN, GET NEW HITTING COACH, TEACH HITTERS NOT TO SWING ON PITCHES OUT OF THE ZONE
Don Ramey - 5 years ago
Dodger fan since 1946. All these comments on Roberts are correct, but upper management must share the blame. They knew early in the season that the bullpen was a disaster area, they had the time and certainly the means to address that problem, but they did not. Time for the owners to hold some people accountable.
Enjoyed your newsletter very much. It is unusual to find this kind of straight forward and honest reporting.
Jon Martino - 5 years ago
First, I agree Ryu should have started game 2. Second, Roberts set Kershaw up for failure. Any Dodger fan that has followed and watch every game during the season knew that Kershaw’s weakest performances were in the 1st and 2nd inning. He probably had the season record for giving up the most home runs by a starting pitcher in those two innings. However, what makes my blood boil more than anything is for a club that espouses utilizing analytics against their opponents, they completely ignored utilizing them to their advantage when strategizing their relief pitcher selection, as they did with Kershaw. Finally, Maeda who was overpowering the Nats should have stayed in the game until he showed signs that he was tiring. As s result I feel cheated by the team I was rooting for by major post season mismanagement.
david king - 5 years ago
It seems as if a lot want Roberts to leave , however were too emotional at this time . Maybe that is what the owners
also , time to clear heads and make the move when less emotional . We wait and let dust settle for now .
Thanks
Mr. 76
Nats Fan - 5 years ago
Ever since Kershaw clobbered us in the play offs a few years back, since then as a Nats fan it's always been important for me to gauge how good my team is by watching the games we played between your team . I know we haven't owned anyone but I did notice we've had successes over Kenly and Clayton. I figured people in the organization saw this because they didn't play too much.
Bob Hodgins - 5 years ago
“Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result.“ Once Buehler was removed handing the game over to Robert’s management decisions my friend John & I we’re able to predict the outcome of each terrible decision because we all have seen this play out in the weeks leading up to this tragic ending.
During this time of player statistics for all performance aspects where was Friedman & his analytical crew in developing strategies to give the team its best chance to overcome the game challenges & mitigate potential realtime responses by the Nationals.
Linda - 5 years ago
The offense was flat this entire series. My issue with Roberts or upper management is to recognize the “it factor” recognizing it and stop with the analytics. Maeda was spot on this whole series. He had the “it factor” Had Roberts not pulled him in game 4 we would have clinched then. I kept hearing Roberts say Kershaw will piggyback Buehler, but Washington owned Kershaw in game 2 mixed with the abundance of 1st inning home runs Kershaw has given up all year. I knew once kershaw came in the game would be over. I feel Roberts waits too long to remove players and fails to let momentum drive the game sometimes. Maeda was really spot on and should have been used a bit more. Kershaw should have never pitched in yesterday’s game unless we were way ahead and although I feel bad for the players kind of getting burned out on hearing hey I’m sorry .. I didn’t execute ..
PAUL COOPER - 5 years ago
Kershaw is 9 - 11 in the post season with an average win rate of 45% and an ERA of 4.33. His regular season win rate is 70% and an ERA of 2.44. That is a glaring disparity. Dave Roberts knows this fact and yet still decided to have Kershaw pitch two-innings. Also, why put in Joe Kelly when Jansen was available and warmed up?
There are plenty of coaches and managers from a variety of sports that have great seasons, but end up getting fired after poor post season performances. It's time for Roberts to go.
Phil Bracco - 5 years ago
Been a Dodger fan since 1955. I've seen lots of managers come and go, and since the bb TV package has been available, I watch at least 150 games a year...year after year.
I think back to 88, with a team much inferior to the ones Roberts has the good fortune to pilot.Motivated with skill and no nonsense, with creativity, and baseball savvy. Got the most out of players, not underachieving.
Roberts has none of that. He should be let go by whatever means which accomplishes that. Look at Bellinger, Seager, Pollock cumulatively in the NLDS. The insistance on using a kid like Lux game after game. Martin hot as hell, but giving Smith the starts Terrible motivator.. Setting the stage for ultimate failures is his strong point. Therein, he surely succeeds.
I'm so tired of hearing how brilliant the FO is, too... how clever, how genius. You only hear about the slick moves they make...never about signings that are absolutely awful. Again and again. Useless, expensive pitchers that gave us nothing but grief...look at this Kelly fiasco.How about Yordan Alvarez? We have no rookies even near what that kid can bring.
If this brick wall that fell on their heads last night doesn't initiate a mgr. change, at least, then I guess it is time for another team to get their chances, instead or the LAD.
They don't know how to win, and have confused, bumbling leadership to guide them.
Don Downs - 5 years ago
In my view there is no question that Dave Roberts mismanaged the bull pen in game five. Clayton Kershaw should have been brought in only after the regular relievers had been used.
Dave Roberts is a class act, appears to be a wonderful human being, but the goal each year is a World Series Championship; despite having the talent/payroll, etc. repeated failures have been the result. Unfortunately, Mr. Roberts must move aside.
If he is willing to continue his transition to embrace baseball analytics then Mike Scioscia should be approached. Scioscia, or any successor must be given the freedom to step away from analytics and play the game. Exchange an out to advance a runner, make a productive out, run and hit. Remember how the game is to be payed?
Andy Conway - 5 years ago
Dave Roberts should be fired using the same logic that resulted in Mattingly leaving...poor decisions in critical situations despite a track record of regular season success over 162 games. Roberts did it in the 2017 World Series, the 2018 World Series, and twice last night.
My biggest issue with last night was the decision to ignore the obvious value Adam, Kenta, and even Kenley demonstrated in situations exactly like those last night. To instead choose to use that moment as an opportunity for Kershaw and Kelly to redeem themselves was not more important than the needed outcome. I love that Roberts sticks with guys in bad times during the season (Chris Taylor comes to mind); I hate that he does it when the stakes are highest.
Steve Mann - 5 years ago
I'm sure Mr Roberts is feeling pretty down today as well as the whole organization and every fan of the team. There were plenty of things that went wrong at the end and plenty of things that went right in the season. During the series I did question several moves that were made, but one thing I haven't understood since Mr Roberts was hired is, if during the year everything is analyzed, mathematically broken down, followed to a T, why does it seem it is ignored in the Playoffs?
Ryu is so much better at home. If he pitches game 2 we mathmatically go to DC 2 games up. Pollock who was -0-12 with 10K's is benched, but Seager who looks lost at the plate starts game 5. Martin, who when he is behind the plate, the pitchers have a lower ERA plays 1 game. No team has ever won the playoffs with a rookie catcher. In game 3 our lineup, in the 6-9 holes had 3 rookies and the pitchers spot against Max( Hall of Fame)Scherzer. Why ??
Eric Sugden - 5 years ago
You have a 3-1 lead and need to get 6 outs. Kenta, Kelly, Jansen, Kolarek in the pen. Seems like a good mix of arms to get the job done. Most managers could have managed that. For some reason Roberts feels like he owes it to Kershaw to get him in the big game and be the hero. Similarly, he sticks with players too long when every at bat matters. Freese and Martin should have started. They were hitting, the other were not. It's game 5, we're not trying to build confidence here.
Yes, Dave Roberts should be fired.
Kir Rich - 5 years ago
Following must GO: Friedman, Roberts, Kershaw (ask him if he wants to just retire...), Kelly, Pollack.
Did Honeycutt advise Roberts what he should/should not do?
Russell is gone. I heard Freese will retire.
HR's may be pretty, but they don't win ball games if they are not hit when one needs them. Definitely need more contact hitters.
I am also an ANGELS fan and they are more fun to watch when SEVERAL players in the lineup get hits in an inning, one after another, after another, etc., etc, etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum! Sure they didn't make the playoffs again, but they have other problems.
As for the dodgers...wait until next year???
Paul Robert - 5 years ago
Who is to say the dodgers would not have lost even if the pitching changes that were suggested were made. Dodgers had cody bellinger at 2nd base twice and failed to get him home. The dodger lineup let Roberts down, thats a fact. Time and time again the dodgers failed to hit in clutch situations during the series.
Richard Samudio - 5 years ago
Roberts mismanagement of this game and the past two years are inexcusable. The debacle in Houston where Kershaw lost the lead TWICE after it was given back to him cost the Dodgers the series. I switched the game once Kershaw came in hoping that I wouldn’t have to witness another meltdown. Switched back in time to see him give up the second homer in a row! Switched it once again after Maeda pitched because I didn’t want to see the bullpen give away the game. Didn’t see the grand slam but knew something bad like that was bound to happen. For all the money the Dodgers get from their TV contract, time to get a new manager and some pitchers. I don’t think I want to see Kershaw in the post season for more than an inning. I’m tired of seeing the same dejected look on his face after another dismal outing. Roberts should have known from the past what was going to happen and STILL makes the same decisions.
Leo Finnegan - 5 years ago
1. Kershaw has too many interests outside of baseball and doesn't pay enough attention to the game.
2. Robert's pays too much attention to the analytics in his and not enough to the real world on the field.
Jim Julian - 5 years ago
First of all I would have pitched Ryu and not Kershaw in game 2 at home where he's been almost perfect. Kershaw has been great for a long time but he is past his prime and cannot be used out of the bullpen because his first 2 innings regardless of starter or out of the pen is usually bad. Everyone can see that but not Roberts. Our hitters have fallen in love with home runs and we applaud them all season long and chant MVP whenever Bellinger comes up to hit. You have a lefty specialist in the pen and your best closer but you stick with Kershaw and Kelly. I want the manager to know his player's tendencies better than I do and make decisions on that. Roberts must go and we also need a culture change in our hitter's mind. Sure we hit a lot of home runs during the season but so what. Our hitter's need to know who's pitching to them and what are that pitcher's strengths. Quite swinging at balls out of the strike zone.
Casey Donoho - 5 years ago
Wait ‘til next year!
Victor Hernandez - 5 years ago
This native Californian and lifelong Dodger fan stayed up very late on the east coast to experience another heartbreak. Yet, I voted No to the question. Granted his game management between the regular season and playoffs are counter intuitive, but after winning 100+ games and division titles every year he is doing something correct. Every winning post season manager in the recent years has had a top notch & respected bench coach who can look at the game, as being played, with a wider perspective and different lens (such as Mr. Mitchell's analysis). Football head coaches when fired go on to become great offensive or defensive coaches. Bob Geren never seems to be in the periphery of Roberts when I see dugout shots. Granted there is enough blame to spread from the dugout, to the field to the front office but we have a lot more to work with than most teams. Ho hum see you in the spring as A. Bartlett Giamatti said "Baseball breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart......"
Nick Snider - 5 years ago
I knew as soon as Kershaw came in we were done ....
Not sure if they should fire Roberts or upper management ...who is calling the shots needs to go ...
Dodgers need contact hitters ...averaged 13 Ks a game ...Pollock, Seager, Bellinger are no help in big games ...BIB will continue to play well in regular season and fail in playoffs ...
We no longer have a dominant pitcher of any kind ...perhaps Buehler will step up ....need someone like Cole ...
Only thing I am sure of ...Dodgers will raise ticket prices ...
Michael Bosworth - 5 years ago
We are told every game how great Hunnicutt is and that may be true but nowhere here does he have any culpability in terms of the bullpen. Did he have any advice for Roberts as the game got tough? Shouldn’t that be part of his job?
Leonard Christy - 5 years ago
as they say in baseball"three strikes and you are out, this is the third time Roberts has failed as manager in the playoffs, so sorry Dave, even though you are a nice guy you should be out. No excuse not to win a world series since 1988 with the talent they have had. Lets give madden a chance.
Chris Chipman - 5 years ago
I believe Dave Roberts is a good guy. I just think we need someone else to put us "over the hump" to win the World Series. If the Dodgers fire him, someone will pick him up. He should have been more adamant about getting bullpen help at the trade deadline.
ruben lizarraga - 5 years ago
I hate the fact that analytics have become the new norm in Baseball. The old school, go by your gut feeling, seems to work better in high pressure situations for every one except Roberts. You can't blame this on upper management and analytics, if they went by the numbers, Kershaw would not have pitched. Who knows? Maybe Roberts hands are really tied and he is just a mouthpiece for upper management.
Like my son(RIP) used to say, "game is over, look at the scoreboard, it now says 0-0, there is always tomorrow"..
go DODGERS!
Benjamin Russell - 5 years ago
I too have been a diehard(1947/2019) Brooklyn/Los Angeles fan.Roberts has not been cutting it for a few years.We are way over due for the rings.They really have to clean house top to bottom. Do a breakdown of each player coach manager high up officials. 1-Hill, Kelly,Urias get axed. 2-Roberts,Honeycup ? go too! Most of the staff & players stay. The fans will turn on you. God bless Dodgers my heart is broken.
Ken Nordin - 5 years ago
I really expected the Dodgers go to the NLCS. BUT, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO MANAGEMENT. Coulx it be that Robert's and Kershaw are on the same page? Their MO is the same. Hopefully, a new manager brings a new year. Here's to next season!
Luis Rivera - 5 years ago
Dave got to go or IAM not going ever to dodger games ,bitch ass's GM
Richard Platt - 5 years ago
Does anybody realize that Roberts wasn't the one who gave up back to back homers.
Say what you want- with all the dumb comments.
But. after the 2nd inning where was our GREAT offense?
Hugh Smitham - 5 years ago
Roberts needs to be fired no question. Trade Kershaw or retire him and eat the money. Trade Seager maybe Taylor, Pollock get pitchers.
John Enright - 5 years ago
In San Diego Andy Green got the boot but A.j. Preller
and the front office called the shots.
John Enright - 5 years ago
the real question is is Dave Roberts call the shots or is the front office ????
Bob Myers - 5 years ago
I hate to say this and I honestly thought I never would but Dave Roberts should be replaced as the Dodger manager. I’ve tried to overlook Dave’s tactical mistakes in the past post seasons but after last night’s debacle I am convinced that he must go! Far too many managerial mistakes late in game #5 cost the Dodgers a chance to advance to the NLCS.
Ray Worsdale - 5 years ago
Listen, I hate to have anyone be fired but Dave Roberts needs to go.
Roberts has had plenty of opportunities with great talent to get it done and it hasn't happened. We can look at G7 of 2017 alone and thats grounds for not putting your players in the best position to succeed.
Players play, managers manage. He hasn't put his players in a position to succeed and has had many years to do so but has come up empty.
Roberts needs to go, while us fans will just have to wait till next year...
Jim Thurston - 5 years ago
Get the analytics out of Dodger baseball. Bring back the humanity. Tommy Lasorda managed from his gut. Taking chances, playing hunches... We times got tough for this team most hitters start swinging for the fences. Teams that can "string a few hits together" are more likely to succeed under pressure. Just get on base and keep the train running.
Dave Roberts seems to be a wonderful man but not a manager. He had the best team in baseball for several years and won nothing!
Dodger fan from 1953.
Chuck Neuman - 5 years ago
I agree, good 162 game manager, and players like him, maybe, just maybe he learned from this postseason's mistakes. Kershaw should've been gone after 1st He, then Kolarek. Kelly can GO way too many hot & cold performances. Jansen should've pitched the 10th.
Bollinger could ONLY WIN MAP, if there were 2 awards,,,,,1st half/2nd half........he'd get 1st half duh!
Harry Phillips - 5 years ago
Replace Roberts.
Don't touch the roster.
Larry D Bell - 5 years ago
Go get Joe Madden. Roberts had multiple opportunities to make the right call. Too devoted to Kershaw. As stated,after Kershaw struck out Eaton that should have been it! The bullpen was ready and Maeda has been great.
Tom Maxey - 5 years ago
Fire Roberts hire Mike Scioscia he has won a WS which Roberts never will. Roberts worries too much about being friends with the players and consequently does not make the tough correct decision, He should have used Freese and not Taylor with runners in scoring position to games ago. He brought in Taylor and Taylor struck out what a surprise!
He uses Kershaw in relief when stats show Kershaw is not a good pitcher his first two inning his ERA is over 5!!
Fire Roberts or Never win the WS with him at the Helm...It will be 50 years before we win the WS again.
Byron Cypert - 5 years ago
Dave Roberts should be fired today. Horrible managing of this pitching staff... again. He hasn’t learned anything over the past three years. Get him out of the dugout ASAP. Please! 52 year Dodgers fan.
Patrick Rumley - 5 years ago
Totally agree with your analysis. Mattingly was let go for similar reasons, justifiably. Thanks for the memories, Dave, but with this talent, you should have one at least 1 WS. The run of this group is almost over. And please please please give us pitchers who don’t pitch batting practice in key situations!
Matt Snyder - 5 years ago
It's so hard to say yes and it's so hard to say no. Dave does an amazing job running this team. He is the reason they are such a tight group, why they play selflessly, why they have won the division every year he's been here. But his moves in the postseason are inexplicable. Bringing in Kelly in the 10th, for a second inning, and leaving him in after walking the first batter? Keeping Kersh (freakin' Kersh!) in after giving up the homer to Rendon? With Jansen, Maeda and Kolarek all ready to go? Yanking Hill in the 6th inning last year? I just don't get it.
But I love the guy. So what do you do? I really don't know. I can see a solid argument for keeping him or firing him.
Patricia Panora - 5 years ago
Yes, Mr Roberts is great guy and a great manager : BUT(?)
3 TIMES IN A ROW is ENOUGH
Retire him to the manager’s office and hire a guy who’s more interested in WINNING a World Series, not just in racking up good feelings and giving players a chance. I LOVE Kershaw , but, the man is PAST his prime. Mr Roberts is a GREAT guy and is a loyal fan.. but like Kershaw can’t perform in The Post Season. Time to
MOVE ON
Allen Kenderes - 5 years ago
"I feel the Dodger won 106 games despite Roberts." You can't be serious!
I am serious. I coached baseball at the junior college level. Hence my comment. What are your qualifications?
Chris Clark - 5 years ago
Why praise Roberts for winning the NL West every year? Look at the NL West, my cat could manage the Dodgers to a NL West title again next year. I get it, back to back World Series appearances, but how many times are they going to let Roberts lead the powerhouse Dodgers into the playoffs when he Just. Can’t. Win.
At least he said he’s cool with taking the blame. Yeah great, enjoy your offseason and win another NL West title next year, then choke again. Thanks, Dave.
Cal - 5 years ago
Lasorda, might not have won 106 games with this team, but he would not have lost this series, nor would he have lost to Houston two years ago.
Next question, would you rather have Bellinger or Verlander and 1 World Series Title, two years ago and still have a chance for another? I”ll take Verlander!!!
Steve Clark - 5 years ago
How about keep Roberts and let him manage the regular season but leave him off the playoff roster and bring in a semi retired manager to handle the post season?
There are plenty of players to blame. But it is a manager's job to know who struggling and replace them. Belly having problems? Give him a rest and start Kike, Friese, and a bunch of other guys. And keep in mind this happens every year.
Dodger Stadium is loud place and I don't think you can win if the manager has poisoned the fans. The Boos will be deafening.
Zack - 5 years ago
Dave Roberts is great. We can all agree on that. But there's a difference between a great manager and managers that have won World Series titles. Let's get one of those. His name is Joe Maddon. And if he signs with the Angels over the Dodgers, or if there Dodgers don't try to get him then they're both stupid. Because the Angela's ownership is empty promises and Dave Roberts just can't get it done for some reason
KD - 5 years ago
The mismanagement by Roberts is remarkable. It's clear that Roberts is unable to actually read the pulse of his pitchers, nor is he able to understand the urgency of winning THE GAME in a one game series. Additionally, Roberts reliance on following his pre game plan, instead of being able to adapt to the situation, or moment, is absolutely startling. There is no way that he can be trusted in critical situations in the post season, none.
Edward - 5 years ago
Roberts has mismanaged post season games since he got here. When the team wins, it does so despite him and when they lose it is because of his inability to understand even the basic elements of baseball. Enough excuses for this guy. They have more talent than anyone and continue to underachieve. He needs to go and they need to get Buck or Scioscia to manage this team. Go old school. It is clear that Dave Roberts is not capable of running this team through a playoff run and winning it all. His terrible decisions are not excusable. His decisions in 2017 were bad. 2018 was worse and this series boarded on insanity. If you know anything about this game, you understand he cost the team last night's game with some of the worst pitching moves ever made.
Richard Gibbons - 5 years ago
Andrew Friedman should be fired. He signed 2 free agents coming into this season-AJ Pollock and Joe Kelly. Look what those 2 players did in the Post-Season. Pollock goes 0 for 13 with 11 strikeouts and Joe Kelly has a horrible season and post-season. Please Dodgers-FIRE FRIEDMAN.
Fan since the 50s, Dave Roberts seems like a good person, but he has made some major play off mistakes the last few years, some thing is not right to end up where we are for the last 3 years with this team, dodgers have the money, get the right people and get Scoscia.
As a huge LA Dodgers fan since the '60s Kofax/Drysdale/Maury Wills era.. it hurts me to see the Dodgers "flame out" like this. Fortunately, this is only a game.. but, "this" series "game management" was very telling from game 2. I suppose I am "old school" on this but it's simple.. when you don't score runs or prevent the opposition from scoring less.. we lose. There's plenty of blame to share throughout the entire Dodger organization on this.
*80 year as dodger fan. I was able to walk to Ebbetts Field. Great managers like Leo,Tommy, Walter and smart management the likes of Branch Rickey and so on. The good , bad and ugly. I enjoyed the these past few seasons even with the sad endings in the post season. The outcome after hard thought realization, Roberts must go. Talent and luck took them to the brink of greatness. Poor on field management brought them down.
While I appreciate the successes the Dodgers have had over the last 5 years during the regular season, it’s time to turn the page on Dave Roberts. He hasn’t demonstrated the game management skills and decisiveness to guide some very talented teams through the playoffs and WS. There’s been too much negative playoff history accumulated under his watch and that feeling seems to bleed into the dugout when things get tough. Time to shake it up.
I have been a Dodger fan since 1946, when they lost to the Cards in a playoff. They have also lost two playoffs to the Giants (1951 and 1962); lost the pennant on the final day of the season in 1950 to the Phillies, and in 1980, LaSorda started Dave Goltz (when he had Fernando rested), losing that pennant also. Also, 1985 when LaSorda let Neidnefuhr pitch to Jack Clark who homered to win that playoff. But among all of these losses, many attributed to the then manager, this was the worst, and substantially caused by Roberts, in ways other than his pitching decisions. I suppose he never wants to hit and run, because of the vast amount of strikeouts, but what about the bunt? In two innings we had a man on second with none out; why not call for a bunt to get Bellinger to 3d? Why not have Seager bunt against the shift? Why let Taylor bat when he strikes out 50% of the time. Why not bench Pollack earlier and play Kike who does well in the post season? Too bad there are no do overs.
I'm a long time cub fan so disappointment is normal for me. Watching the Dodgers in the post season is always enjoyable for me. I'll make a suggestion- not joe maddon. He is the ultimate example of playing the same underperforming players over and over and over just because he likes them. The Cubs won the World Series in spite of his gross mismanaging . Go for joe girardi. He knows the game and plays to win.
Houston's analysis of the game is as good as any I have read. Too bad so much of it is true!!!!! Roberts handles the egos very well. A good trait for a manager to have. Unfortunately, in major games, he plays not to lose rather than to win. To me, the most glaring issue was the absence of Kolarek in yesterday's game. Obviously, Kersh is not what he once was/ Give him the one inning and then remove him. Kersh is treated like the pitcher he was 6 years ago; those days are gone. Maeda and Kolarek were ready, and both have been a cut above this year. Maybe now Friedman will spend some of the money in the coffers to get a good relief pitcher. Its a sad day!!!
3 consecutive years of mismanagement and ownership has cost us multiple WS.. FIRST you sign garbage Darvish instead of Verlander ..enough said but I will continue ..post season: its clear Darvish is tipping his pitches and you leave him out there..THE VERLANDER DECISION + Roberts mismanagement =out #1
Boston series ..up against a great team but Roberts again cant read his pitchers ...Kershaw melts down ..obviously he doesnt have it like he use to in his prime..
=everybody gets one I can live with that
OUT #2
Offseason you resign Kershaw when his pitching speed is clearly declining .. But hes a Dodger Legend I get it
Trade deadline we fail to address the Bullpen
GAME 5 LAST NIGHT TO MAKE UP FOR BAD SIGNINGS AND MISMANAGEMENT
Dave freaking Roberts with Maeda and a specialist warmed up ready to go you go with the mighty freakin KERSHAW and set him up for failure in an attempt to make yourselves look good as ownership and management !
OK tie game Maeda looks good but you go with your new signing Kelly ...everything looks good but then he starts to struggle and you leave him out there to die and give up a GRANDSLAM!
OUT #3
DODGER FANS DESERVE MORE ..WE BLEED BLUE BUT EVENTUALLY WE NEED A WS TO STOP THE BLEEDING
Roberts needs to go now. But the Dodgers will keep him. There would be too much blowback to firing an African-American manager, even if it’s for genuine performance issues.
Disappointed but not surprised. Analytics don’t win playoffs, a strong bullpen and small ball win playoffs. We’ll face the same issues next year unless we get a decent bullpen and bats that aren’t swinging for the fences every time up. Sign some legit bullpen pitchers, Gerrot Cole, play players like Max Muncy (he hits righties and lefties) and a manager who is confident enough to play the percentages versus his “feelings”
Fire Roberts .Been a Dodger fan for over 80 tears and saw the first game Jackie Robinson played in Ebbets field,Brooklyn ..Spring training against the NY Yankees
Kershaw was a geat pitcher but no Koufax. It is common knowledge that Kershaws worst innings in the past few years occur early in the game .
THE FIRST 3 INNINGS. Roberts knows that as well as anyone. An ERA of about 6? I hope that the Dodgers hire Mike Scocia (spelling) Harold Gold Santa Monica
You should start a poll that asks if the Dodgers should re-sign Andrew Friedman. My vote would be NO. Granted, Friedman has strengthened the farm system and developed young talent in the past few years but his Achilles heal was his failure to strengthen the bullpen, which every Dodger fan knew was a team weakness coming into this year. His feeble attempt to address this shortcoming by signing the historically inconsistent Joe Kelly is a prime example of his lack of judgment.
Give Roberts a team with good pitching and defense. He's proven he can take the team to the WS(2), Division and NL Champion. That should be considered. So when you give him tools that there is no guesswork involve - consistent bullpen and closer. We could win it all.
Julio/Jim thanks for the ALL capital letters. Obviously you must be heard. I skip comments with all capitals.
Others do too. Capitals? Come on. Get over it.
Kershaw in Maeda not? Game over. Period. Look at Houston on how to hire starting pitching. So you have weaknesses aka Dave Roberts. He has to go.(analytics)
Emotions make a lot of people say things as if they were Nostradamus. He is dead. So is Edgar Cayce.
Save the predictions for your grand kids. This season was a blast!!! No doubt! We were in two WS.
I am disappointed - oh duh. But to blame this that or the other is a waste of time. Whiners never get what they want. I am proud to be a Dodger fan. We lost to a team that should have lost the WC. Maybe this is a destiny team? Baseball is bitchen. That's all. Great season. With some luck, gawds grace and the creek dont rise i will watch more seasons. (privileged to watch a '59 WS game.) Colosseum! Dang man want something to moan about.
Dave Roberts should NOT be fired--how many managers get their teams into the post-season year after year? Not very many. While he made some bad calls on relief pitching, not many teams make it as far as the Dodgers have under his reign. Their hitting coach needs to be looked at, however. How can so many hitters go cold so quickly and at the same time? The strikeout rate for Dodger hitters was totally unacceptable!
Fire Dave Roberts? Them an never should've been hired in the first place! Maybe now they'll go out & hire former Dodgers catcher & L.A. Angel's manager Mike Socisa? Cody Bellenger is looking more & more like a great player in the season & a playoff BUM!!! Clayton Kershaw has never been very good at all throughout his entire playoff pitching carrier! And only a couple of players were really hitting the ball well in the post season any way. Seager was a lost puppy at the plate, & my 17 year old grandson could stike him out with ez. Cory was always trying to see if he can put the ball in the parking lot instead of in play. I see a lot of changes coming, & I believe that Roberts, Kershaw, A.J. Jensen, Hill, and a couple of others need to be released from the team. If the Dodgers don't fire Roberts, I'll not cone to or watch a single Dodgers game next season! Because, no matter how well they do in the regular season, Roberts managing in the end will lose out, & the team will fail again! And we now have a lot of great young talent that's being wasted, just like old Tom Lasorta did back in the 70's with Cey, Lopez, Garvey, Yeager, & the others of those Dodgers teams. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don't have the right man running the helm, it won't matter!!!
It is time to fire Roberts! He frequently has been out managed in the playoffs. With teams like Miami, Baltimore, & Detroit does it really mean that much to win 100 games? Once the competition gets tough the Dodgers are exposed. I suggest they hire Mike Scioscia. He has obvious ties to the Dodgers and is a solid manager.
Venting here. I believe that the Dodgers have the best talent in MLB and have won in spite of Dave Roberts and not because of him as witnessed in the last three playoffs.
1. Keep starting Pollack in the playoffs. 0-15, 1 Walk, 12 K, 0 Hits. When he finally replaced him with another RH hitter (Kiki) he went 3/6.
2. Walked Soto intentional loading bases after Kershaw gave up the HR while Kolarek sat on the bench. Soto was 0-3 against him with 2Ks.
3. Kershaw gave up a career high 28 HRs this year with most of them coming in the first and second innings. Once he got going he was fine but definitely hittable in the early innings. His last 8 games of the regular season he gave up 13 HR. Who besides Roberts thought it was a great idea to put him in??? While...
4. You had Madea sitting in the bullpen that had 4Ks in 3.1 innings and an 0.00 ERA. Struck out the side after Kershaws back to backs.
Never going to win anything in the post season with him.
I'm surprised to see the comments suggesting that Kershaw either retire or move on. Granted, he is not himself in the playoffs, but he is a Godsend in the regular season and undeniably still a great pitcher. Yes, he is adjusting to getting older and not being the same over-powering pitcher he once was. All great pitchers adjust and Kershaw will too. For as long as Kershaw has carried the Dodgers, there is no way that I will lose faith in him or his abilities.
THE PROBLEM WITH THE DODGER LOSS CAN BE BLAMED SQUARELY ON MANAGER ROBERTS.MR ROBERTS IS OF LOW CHARACTER AND WILL.HE FEELS SORRY TO HURT THE FEELINGS OF THE PLAYERS AND DOES NOT MAKE NECESSARY CHANGES,KERSHAW IS TREATED LIKE A HERO,WHICH HE IS NOT ANYMORE,KELLY I THINK HAS A NERVE PROBLEM AND SHOWS UP IN HIS GOOD OR BAD MOOD.WE NEED A NEW FIELD MANAGER WITH CHARACTER.
THE PROBLEM WITH THE DODGER LOSS CAN BE BLAMED SQUARELY ON MANAGER ROBERTS.MR ROBERTS IS OF LOW CHARACTER AND WILL.HE FEELS SORRY TO HURT THE FEELINGS OF THE PLAYERS AND DOES NOT MAKE NECESSARY CHANGES,KERSHAW IS TREATED LIKE A HERO,WHICH HE IS NOT ANYMORE,KELLY I THINK HAS A NERVE PROBLEM AND SHOWS UP IN HIS GOOD OR BAD MOOD.WE NEED A NEW FIELD MANAGER WITH CHARACTER.
Been a Dodger fan since 1951 and have had a lot of joys and a lot of disappointments but last nights game was the biggest disappointment of all. I have been saying for two years to get rid of Roberts, like everyone says he might be a great guy but not a game manager. He won’t pull a player out of the game because he’s afraid of hurting their feelings. I probably watched all but five or six games this season on MLB at bat but if something isn’t done that will be the last year I watch them.
Reading Houston's comments are so validating and all the above comments are so realistic-so how does Dave Roberts get in his bubble and play "nice guy" first and always rather than a Manager that can make quick decisions for the moment and assist his best players ( a ripe roster ) for the specific game to focus and win That Game ---Roberts throughout the season had difficulty reading his players when just an emotional fan at home is yelling for a change and he doesn't want to upset the players/pitchers. Ryu was almost disrespected with the lack of attention Roberts gave him.....I must stop this rant -yes release Roberts, nervous /scared Kelly, poor Garcia,and time consuming poor performance Urias , If a player lacks confidence (Cory looks as if someone had scolded him and Bellinger appeared as if everyone wanted him to hit a Grand Slam each time and he knew he couldn't so then he couldn't hit the ball. Please teach players and coaches to visit the mound for support or assessment when a pitcher is collapsing or tired. Who could be the next manager ?? Thanks for the time and aorta vent.
If I hear "I liked the matchup" again , I will scream.
3 words: Maddon is Available.
As a life long dodger fan, I was disappointment in last nights game. Roberts definitely has to take most of the blame for the lost. However, I believe that Roberts has done a commendable job, overall, for 5 years. The question the Dodgers have to ask, is that does ONE game justify firing a successful manager, such as Roberts? Roberts has NEVER had a adequate pitching staff to win in the playoffs and is the front office to blame for that??? Kershaw is 75% of what he was a few years ago, Hill is inconsistent, Jansen has been fading in the past 2 years, Kelly has been mostly a bust, Darvish was a complete bust, Morrow was another inconsistent relief pitcher. Thus, it appears that Roberts has gotten into the practice of manipulating pitchers vs managing them, since he arrived. This has caused him to make errors in judgement because of an inadequate pitching staff. I say let Roberts continue as manager, retire Hill, trade Jansen, reduce or retire Kershaw. Lets move forward with May, Groslin, Urias, Ferguson, Ryu, Meada and Buehler.
Where is the baseball I grew up with? Where are the bunts, steals and slap singles to the opposite fields. Doc just let them play....and they did, long ball. Its fun to watch until it drys up in the post season where the pitching dominates. The best player on this entire team may be Bellinger, but day to day, I'd rather have Muncy any day and any position. Oh yeah, about Doc Roberts. Pray God gives us another Lasorda who in the midst of his notable tirades about winning, bled blue and DID play for the name on the front of the jersey. Sorry Dave, your time is up. Fan since 1955.
I have been a dodger fan since Don Newcombe went 27-7 and they were in Brooklyn on no television. I said all of that to say this post season is the worst since I started following the dodgers. The bull pen and management of the pen was awful. Dave Roberts analysis used in this game was not even close and he should have known his players well enough to make the right moves. Joe Kelly has not been effective this whole season. Maeda was excellent and pulling him proved to be a mistake. Clayton Kershaw has never been effective during any past post season so why did he put him in the game? Kershaw has never performed well in the post season. If Roberts stays, he should start managing from his gut rather by his analyical data.
There are a lot of comments on here about Roberts being too tied to analytics, but some of his worst decisions (IMHO) went counter to the numbers. For example, I was shocked Ryu didn't start game 2, because his record was MUCH better at home than on the road. Kershaw, of the big 3, was the best road pitcher by the numbers. And then leaving Kelley in for a second inning when his more than 1 inning ERA was nearly nine. It almost seems as if Roberts goes by the numbers until crunch time, then makes the wrong gut decision. Maybe I'm a bad fan, but I gave up last night after the 6th inning (when it was 3-1 Dodgers) because I knew the Dodgers wouldn't score again if they played 100 innings and Washington looked like they were starting to chip away. Soto's homer was the ballgame, after that it was just waiting to call the time of death.
Kershaw pitched poorly, so of course he comes in.
Kelly pitched poorly, so of course he comes in.
Adam pitched great, so of course he watches.
Kenta pitched great, so of course he comes in after its too late.
Dodgers will never win a world series with Roberts.
All season long the Dodgers get a baserunner with no or 1 outs, and they don't attempt to steal.
They wait until the batter hits into a double play. Analytics tells them to wait.
Cody finally ignores it and steals 2nd twice.
He is on 3rd with the 3 rd baseman shifted to right field, takes a lead halfway to home plate, but doesn't steal home.
Jackie Robinson is watching screaming STEAL HOME! Don't todays players watch the greats?
Analytics are great. Look at where they got the Phillies who picked up Harper, Realmuto, Segura and McCutchen during the off season and improved to 81-81 from 80-82. Kapler is now available to take his analytics elsewhere. Seager ( who I picked in a poll to be the World Series MVP) thrice left men in scoring position with a DP and two strikeouts. Bellinger didn't hit but he made a great catch and twice stole a base to get in scoring position with the last time three Ks in a row stranding him there. Looks like Martin and Freese are gone ( as several pointed out) last loss why Taylor and not Freese with his hot bat to pinch hit. Add to that list should be Pollock in a trade. Maybe some American League team might be interested as a DH. Taylor and Hernandez have the same credentials positions wise so maybe two such is one too many. Retaining Ryu and picking up a reliable starter ( Biehler, Ryu,and two of three from May, Gonsolin, Urias plus a newby) and a redo of the BP would be my Gen Mgr moves. I agree with Houston about trying to convince Maeda as a permanent BP fixture. Stripling had his run first half of 2018. Perhaps he could command a good reliever in a trade. If the Nats get by the Cards with the right offer Rendon will stay. Turner probably still has at least one good year left. Improvements are needed. The Mets have a great core of young players and the Nats showed what three effective starters can do in a five game playoff. BTW, I confess the telly went off at the Grand Slam. That already was pretty late on the East Coast for a Dodger fan since 1940
I knew when Kershaw was told to pitch the game would be over. he is a good pitching not in his early innings.Roberts needs to go. I am so tired of being upset every year.
Fire Roberts hire Joe Madden or Mike Scioscia....managers who know how to manage.....Roberts mistakes over a 162 game season go unnoticed......However, in short playoff series baseball his bad decision making is obvious......Kershaw should have never come back out after having his moment with the strikeout.....we should have been happy with one inning of Kelly as even that was a surprise......Pollack should never have been allowed to continue to come to bat.............
Why is it that all of the diehard dodger baseball fans can see this stuff but the manager is clueless..
Terminate Roberts pronto. Nice guy, but awful post-season manager. Kershaw should just retire rather than return for another season or two as the #3 or 4 starter in the regular season but provide no value in the post-season. Dump Pollack, if we can. Re-sign Freese for another year. Keep Seager and Taylor. They are very good players who just need to mature and learn more plate discipline.
Obviously the Dodgers need to acquire numerous talented pitchers in the off-season. Hill probably retires and Kershaw may too. We will need another one or two starters, plus several bullpen guys. Heck, we probably need a closer too, as Jensen likely has only one more good season in him.
Big $$$ to spend in the off-season. And a whole lot of soul-searching. Looks like 'dem Bums are back.
Enough said. I’ll hit management in the wallet.
I called today and cancelled my season tickets
For next year.
If management thinks they can get away with all of these bonehead mistakes and we will continue
To put up with them well guess what...I’ll keep my money in my wallet.
Roberts should go, but he won't. The real problem in the Dodgers organization starts at the top with Stan Kasten. He has publicly stated that the goal is to get to the playoffs and hope for a hot hand. This approach worked once in 16 years in Atlanta and is 0 for in LA. Until the front office recognizes that analytics that work over a 162 game regular season don't apply in October Dodgers fans will be treated to annual October horror stories.
Hindsight is always very very good. I suspect the front office has been told by the owners how they want the team to be run. Keep the prospects, limit luxury tax, etc. Everyone is an expert the next day. Roberts should not be fired! The hitting coach should not be fired!! Many 0f the fans should be fired!!!!!
Long time Dodger fan. Roberts failed to place the best players on the field. In the late innings Russell Martin should have replaced Smith. Martin had been hitting the ball well during the series. I agree Kershaw should NOT have been in the game the following inning. He should have been pulled after he allowed the homerun by Rendon. Next season get Cole from the Astros whatever it will cost the Dodgers. He is someone local and will have an instant following. Yes Maeda should be made a middle reliever. The Dodgers would have still won the series if Kershaw had not been kept too long. Pitching still matters over hitting. Roberts did NOT make the right decisions. Sorry but he has to go plan and simple.
I posted on FB last night that everybody knew Kershaw would give up those home runs except Dave Roberts. I have gotten so sick of the "I'm using this player who has been playing lousy to show him I have confidence in him" attitude. It's a nice thing to build up someone's confidence, but NOT during crucial games!
I agree that Roberts is a poor on the field manager who has shown to make very bad decisions. Look back 2 years and see how he managed against the Astro’s and despite evidence that Darvish was not pitching well starts him in the final most important game. How about taking Hill out numerous times when he was pitching great with a low pitch count because of his theory about pitching to the the lineup for the third go around changing lineups daily is an absolute joke He had no business using Kershaw as a reliever when his pat record shows he is not effective in the first 2 innings like game 2 and he had been very prone to giving up the home runs That is last thing you want to have for a reliever in the deciding game. It is great to show your players you believe in them but when there is nothing to show that they don’t have bad tendencies you don’t gamble in the playoffs. Hill should nit have been put on post season roster and Roberts looked at game 4 as a good game to test Hill when it was more important to go with one of your 3 starters. Roberts doesn’t play his hot hands and he will never play small ball with his team even if the situation screams for small ball. He has to go
I am a diehard Dodgers fan living in Atlanta. My son, Alex, says he is a 4th generation Dodgers fan. I told him years ago this team will bring you great joy and break your heart. Last night was not the sledgehammer administered to the Braves, but a crueler form of death by lengthy torture. One point I havn't heard anyone make, and Roberts didn't address, is why didn't he double switch when he brought in Maeda. That would give the option of keeping Maeda in and not having to have him hit. ( Did walter Alston develop the double switch?) Second, When it left the bat, I thought Smith had won the game. Several Dodgers jumped the rail, and...it died in the cool night air, like Muncy's and Seager's flies late in game 4. Then, Pederson's liner in game 4, baseball is a game of inch. Finally, Bellinger, Seager, Pollack were missing in action offensively. Under the circumstances, it is surprising that the Dodgers should have won this series. And the Cards get to host? What a joke?
I like Roberts, but it is probably time to fire him. Maddon would be an excellent choice.
I used to think that Kershaw would be better in the bullpen in the latter stages of his career like Eckersley, but I didn’t know about his poor first two innings statistics.
Kershaw is a nice guy, great player in regular season, and seems to get too amped up in the post season (even more with his continuous track record). I’m from the Dallas area, and he grew up in a very rich tony neighborhood (Highland Park) that is secluded from the rest of East Texas like primadonnas. It’s a veritable fortress of the 1%.
I think this is why Kershaw is a terrible leader. He’s a silver spooner.
Trade him.
He ran off Puig
Run him off.
Sorry I feel this way.
I’m heartbroken and mad.
True Blue Dodger fan since 1985, and in soul since 1941. Best franchise ever. We broke the color barrier, and ruled both coasts. We have a terrific organization with more great farmhands coming up to be the next superstars.
We will be back!
WE WILL BE CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!!!!!
95% of all fans from the other 31 teams would be ecstatic over 7 division titles and 2 trips to the World Series. Roberts should not go. He’s proven that he can win consistently. The best teams in baseball are not guaranteed the World Series. I’ve followed and loved the Dodgers since 1955 and every Dodger manager since then had multiple teams capable of winning the series and few did. I don’t know what the percentage is but I’m guessing that less than 50% of the “best teams in baseball have claimed the series. Many times a team gets hot a playoff time and wins it all or knocks off the best or a better team. I feel the Dodgers (and many other heavily favored teams put too much pressure on themselves sometimes. If Tampa Bay wins tonight, 3 of the 4 favored teams would have lost in round 1. Keep Roberts, keep winning division titles and work hard to get better in pressure situations!
Roberts must go —-just horrible
under pressure. Sack him without delay. Freidman is not as good as he thinks and let’s hope he walks.
Kershaw is huge disappointment — just let him go ... he’ll be a hall of famer with post season asterisk. He’s had years to learn a change up like Price did last year —-same for Jansen to compensate for reduced velocity. Both think their sliders/cutters still work at lower velocity... hitters know otherwise.
Pollack and Kelly basically no value added. Bellinger needs to mature emotionally which comes with age and Seager is a mediocre player all around —let him go and rely on farm prospects. Taylor is a strikeout artist.... say goodbye. Hope Freese returns as real value.
Dodger Blue since ‘58 and not getting any younger. Replace poor performing millionaires with a worthy few.
I believe LAD management/ ownership is primarily interested in winning division and being reasonably competitive in post season. Anything beyond that involves big contract commitments and heavy dose of luck. I think DR is just the type of manager that ownership wants- diplomatic, polite, and professional.
What a painful game to watch. I'm not an expert at baseball, but you don't have to be, to know that Clayton Kershaw should have stayed on the bench after his inning ending strikeout. So very sad. And I still don't see why Joe Kelly was still out there after walking a man. I don't know what the statistics said, but my gut knew it was going nowhere good. Reminded me of the Yu Darvish game. I knew he was going to blow that one as well. Here's to picking up some new pitchers in the off season and some new insights from Dave Roberts on post-season play. I'm still a Dodgers fan and will be until we get a major league team here in Portland OR.
GREATEST SCREW UP AS A MANAGER EVER ON FILE. WHY HILL PITCHING???? WHY kERSHAW,???? WHY KELLY???? WHY NOT LEAVE MEADA IN ???? WHY PLAY POLICKER@ALL ???? WHY NOT USE KOLACKER AND SAVE HOME RUNS.????? WHY SEAGER NOT SAT DOWN.????? wHY NOT SIT CODY DOWN IN GAME 2.AND REINSTATE IN GAME 4.????. WHY IN THE HELL DID POLICKER PINCH HIT. ????? GET RID OF POLICKER, WHITE ,MARTIN,JEDD, AND THE REST OF THE OVER THE HILL GANG. MAKE SURE TO HAVE UP COMING 3RD BASE. SEAGER WAS A DISAPOINTMENT, AFTER ALL THE HIPE ABOUT HIM. HAD MADCHAO. ????? NOTHING NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT ROBERTS,HE DOES KNOW HIS ASS FROM THE BULL PEN. GET MANDON OR M. SOCICA., FIRE FRIEDMAN, GET NEW HITTING COACH, TEACH HITTERS NOT TO SWING ON PITCHES OUT OF THE ZONE
Dodger fan since 1946. All these comments on Roberts are correct, but upper management must share the blame. They knew early in the season that the bullpen was a disaster area, they had the time and certainly the means to address that problem, but they did not. Time for the owners to hold some people accountable.
Enjoyed your newsletter very much. It is unusual to find this kind of straight forward and honest reporting.
First, I agree Ryu should have started game 2. Second, Roberts set Kershaw up for failure. Any Dodger fan that has followed and watch every game during the season knew that Kershaw’s weakest performances were in the 1st and 2nd inning. He probably had the season record for giving up the most home runs by a starting pitcher in those two innings. However, what makes my blood boil more than anything is for a club that espouses utilizing analytics against their opponents, they completely ignored utilizing them to their advantage when strategizing their relief pitcher selection, as they did with Kershaw. Finally, Maeda who was overpowering the Nats should have stayed in the game until he showed signs that he was tiring. As s result I feel cheated by the team I was rooting for by major post season mismanagement.
It seems as if a lot want Roberts to leave , however were too emotional at this time . Maybe that is what the owners
also , time to clear heads and make the move when less emotional . We wait and let dust settle for now .
Thanks
Mr. 76
Ever since Kershaw clobbered us in the play offs a few years back, since then as a Nats fan it's always been important for me to gauge how good my team is by watching the games we played between your team . I know we haven't owned anyone but I did notice we've had successes over Kenly and Clayton. I figured people in the organization saw this because they didn't play too much.
“Albert Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing something over and over again and expecting a different result.“ Once Buehler was removed handing the game over to Robert’s management decisions my friend John & I we’re able to predict the outcome of each terrible decision because we all have seen this play out in the weeks leading up to this tragic ending.
During this time of player statistics for all performance aspects where was Friedman & his analytical crew in developing strategies to give the team its best chance to overcome the game challenges & mitigate potential realtime responses by the Nationals.
The offense was flat this entire series. My issue with Roberts or upper management is to recognize the “it factor” recognizing it and stop with the analytics. Maeda was spot on this whole series. He had the “it factor” Had Roberts not pulled him in game 4 we would have clinched then. I kept hearing Roberts say Kershaw will piggyback Buehler, but Washington owned Kershaw in game 2 mixed with the abundance of 1st inning home runs Kershaw has given up all year. I knew once kershaw came in the game would be over. I feel Roberts waits too long to remove players and fails to let momentum drive the game sometimes. Maeda was really spot on and should have been used a bit more. Kershaw should have never pitched in yesterday’s game unless we were way ahead and although I feel bad for the players kind of getting burned out on hearing hey I’m sorry .. I didn’t execute ..
Kershaw is 9 - 11 in the post season with an average win rate of 45% and an ERA of 4.33. His regular season win rate is 70% and an ERA of 2.44. That is a glaring disparity. Dave Roberts knows this fact and yet still decided to have Kershaw pitch two-innings. Also, why put in Joe Kelly when Jansen was available and warmed up?
There are plenty of coaches and managers from a variety of sports that have great seasons, but end up getting fired after poor post season performances. It's time for Roberts to go.
Been a Dodger fan since 1955. I've seen lots of managers come and go, and since the bb TV package has been available, I watch at least 150 games a year...year after year.
I think back to 88, with a team much inferior to the ones Roberts has the good fortune to pilot.Motivated with skill and no nonsense, with creativity, and baseball savvy. Got the most out of players, not underachieving.
Roberts has none of that. He should be let go by whatever means which accomplishes that. Look at Bellinger, Seager, Pollock cumulatively in the NLDS. The insistance on using a kid like Lux game after game. Martin hot as hell, but giving Smith the starts Terrible motivator.. Setting the stage for ultimate failures is his strong point. Therein, he surely succeeds.
I'm so tired of hearing how brilliant the FO is, too... how clever, how genius. You only hear about the slick moves they make...never about signings that are absolutely awful. Again and again. Useless, expensive pitchers that gave us nothing but grief...look at this Kelly fiasco.How about Yordan Alvarez? We have no rookies even near what that kid can bring.
If this brick wall that fell on their heads last night doesn't initiate a mgr. change, at least, then I guess it is time for another team to get their chances, instead or the LAD.
They don't know how to win, and have confused, bumbling leadership to guide them.
In my view there is no question that Dave Roberts mismanaged the bull pen in game five. Clayton Kershaw should have been brought in only after the regular relievers had been used.
Dave Roberts is a class act, appears to be a wonderful human being, but the goal each year is a World Series Championship; despite having the talent/payroll, etc. repeated failures have been the result. Unfortunately, Mr. Roberts must move aside.
If he is willing to continue his transition to embrace baseball analytics then Mike Scioscia should be approached. Scioscia, or any successor must be given the freedom to step away from analytics and play the game. Exchange an out to advance a runner, make a productive out, run and hit. Remember how the game is to be payed?
Dave Roberts should be fired using the same logic that resulted in Mattingly leaving...poor decisions in critical situations despite a track record of regular season success over 162 games. Roberts did it in the 2017 World Series, the 2018 World Series, and twice last night.
My biggest issue with last night was the decision to ignore the obvious value Adam, Kenta, and even Kenley demonstrated in situations exactly like those last night. To instead choose to use that moment as an opportunity for Kershaw and Kelly to redeem themselves was not more important than the needed outcome. I love that Roberts sticks with guys in bad times during the season (Chris Taylor comes to mind); I hate that he does it when the stakes are highest.
I'm sure Mr Roberts is feeling pretty down today as well as the whole organization and every fan of the team. There were plenty of things that went wrong at the end and plenty of things that went right in the season. During the series I did question several moves that were made, but one thing I haven't understood since Mr Roberts was hired is, if during the year everything is analyzed, mathematically broken down, followed to a T, why does it seem it is ignored in the Playoffs?
Ryu is so much better at home. If he pitches game 2 we mathmatically go to DC 2 games up. Pollock who was -0-12 with 10K's is benched, but Seager who looks lost at the plate starts game 5. Martin, who when he is behind the plate, the pitchers have a lower ERA plays 1 game. No team has ever won the playoffs with a rookie catcher. In game 3 our lineup, in the 6-9 holes had 3 rookies and the pitchers spot against Max( Hall of Fame)Scherzer. Why ??
You have a 3-1 lead and need to get 6 outs. Kenta, Kelly, Jansen, Kolarek in the pen. Seems like a good mix of arms to get the job done. Most managers could have managed that. For some reason Roberts feels like he owes it to Kershaw to get him in the big game and be the hero. Similarly, he sticks with players too long when every at bat matters. Freese and Martin should have started. They were hitting, the other were not. It's game 5, we're not trying to build confidence here.
Yes, Dave Roberts should be fired.
Following must GO: Friedman, Roberts, Kershaw (ask him if he wants to just retire...), Kelly, Pollack.
Did Honeycutt advise Roberts what he should/should not do?
Russell is gone. I heard Freese will retire.
HR's may be pretty, but they don't win ball games if they are not hit when one needs them. Definitely need more contact hitters.
I am also an ANGELS fan and they are more fun to watch when SEVERAL players in the lineup get hits in an inning, one after another, after another, etc., etc, etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum! Sure they didn't make the playoffs again, but they have other problems.
As for the dodgers...wait until next year???
Who is to say the dodgers would not have lost even if the pitching changes that were suggested were made. Dodgers had cody bellinger at 2nd base twice and failed to get him home. The dodger lineup let Roberts down, thats a fact. Time and time again the dodgers failed to hit in clutch situations during the series.
Roberts mismanagement of this game and the past two years are inexcusable. The debacle in Houston where Kershaw lost the lead TWICE after it was given back to him cost the Dodgers the series. I switched the game once Kershaw came in hoping that I wouldn’t have to witness another meltdown. Switched back in time to see him give up the second homer in a row! Switched it once again after Maeda pitched because I didn’t want to see the bullpen give away the game. Didn’t see the grand slam but knew something bad like that was bound to happen. For all the money the Dodgers get from their TV contract, time to get a new manager and some pitchers. I don’t think I want to see Kershaw in the post season for more than an inning. I’m tired of seeing the same dejected look on his face after another dismal outing. Roberts should have known from the past what was going to happen and STILL makes the same decisions.
1. Kershaw has too many interests outside of baseball and doesn't pay enough attention to the game.
2. Robert's pays too much attention to the analytics in his and not enough to the real world on the field.
First of all I would have pitched Ryu and not Kershaw in game 2 at home where he's been almost perfect. Kershaw has been great for a long time but he is past his prime and cannot be used out of the bullpen because his first 2 innings regardless of starter or out of the pen is usually bad. Everyone can see that but not Roberts. Our hitters have fallen in love with home runs and we applaud them all season long and chant MVP whenever Bellinger comes up to hit. You have a lefty specialist in the pen and your best closer but you stick with Kershaw and Kelly. I want the manager to know his player's tendencies better than I do and make decisions on that. Roberts must go and we also need a culture change in our hitter's mind. Sure we hit a lot of home runs during the season but so what. Our hitter's need to know who's pitching to them and what are that pitcher's strengths. Quite swinging at balls out of the strike zone.
Wait ‘til next year!
This native Californian and lifelong Dodger fan stayed up very late on the east coast to experience another heartbreak. Yet, I voted No to the question. Granted his game management between the regular season and playoffs are counter intuitive, but after winning 100+ games and division titles every year he is doing something correct. Every winning post season manager in the recent years has had a top notch & respected bench coach who can look at the game, as being played, with a wider perspective and different lens (such as Mr. Mitchell's analysis). Football head coaches when fired go on to become great offensive or defensive coaches. Bob Geren never seems to be in the periphery of Roberts when I see dugout shots. Granted there is enough blame to spread from the dugout, to the field to the front office but we have a lot more to work with than most teams. Ho hum see you in the spring as A. Bartlett Giamatti said "Baseball breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart......"
I knew as soon as Kershaw came in we were done ....
Not sure if they should fire Roberts or upper management ...who is calling the shots needs to go ...
Dodgers need contact hitters ...averaged 13 Ks a game ...Pollock, Seager, Bellinger are no help in big games ...BIB will continue to play well in regular season and fail in playoffs ...
We no longer have a dominant pitcher of any kind ...perhaps Buehler will step up ....need someone like Cole ...
Only thing I am sure of ...Dodgers will raise ticket prices ...
We are told every game how great Hunnicutt is and that may be true but nowhere here does he have any culpability in terms of the bullpen. Did he have any advice for Roberts as the game got tough? Shouldn’t that be part of his job?
as they say in baseball"three strikes and you are out, this is the third time Roberts has failed as manager in the playoffs, so sorry Dave, even though you are a nice guy you should be out. No excuse not to win a world series since 1988 with the talent they have had. Lets give madden a chance.
I believe Dave Roberts is a good guy. I just think we need someone else to put us "over the hump" to win the World Series. If the Dodgers fire him, someone will pick him up. He should have been more adamant about getting bullpen help at the trade deadline.
I hate the fact that analytics have become the new norm in Baseball. The old school, go by your gut feeling, seems to work better in high pressure situations for every one except Roberts. You can't blame this on upper management and analytics, if they went by the numbers, Kershaw would not have pitched. Who knows? Maybe Roberts hands are really tied and he is just a mouthpiece for upper management.
Like my son(RIP) used to say, "game is over, look at the scoreboard, it now says 0-0, there is always tomorrow"..
go DODGERS!
I too have been a diehard(1947/2019) Brooklyn/Los Angeles fan.Roberts has not been cutting it for a few years.We are way over due for the rings.They really have to clean house top to bottom. Do a breakdown of each player coach manager high up officials. 1-Hill, Kelly,Urias get axed. 2-Roberts,Honeycup ? go too! Most of the staff & players stay. The fans will turn on you. God bless Dodgers my heart is broken.
I really expected the Dodgers go to the NLCS. BUT, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO MANAGEMENT. Coulx it be that Robert's and Kershaw are on the same page? Their MO is the same. Hopefully, a new manager brings a new year. Here's to next season!
Dave got to go or IAM not going ever to dodger games ,bitch ass's GM
Does anybody realize that Roberts wasn't the one who gave up back to back homers.
Say what you want- with all the dumb comments.
But. after the 2nd inning where was our GREAT offense?
Roberts needs to be fired no question. Trade Kershaw or retire him and eat the money. Trade Seager maybe Taylor, Pollock get pitchers.
In San Diego Andy Green got the boot but A.j. Preller
and the front office called the shots.
the real question is is Dave Roberts call the shots or is the front office ????
I hate to say this and I honestly thought I never would but Dave Roberts should be replaced as the Dodger manager. I’ve tried to overlook Dave’s tactical mistakes in the past post seasons but after last night’s debacle I am convinced that he must go! Far too many managerial mistakes late in game #5 cost the Dodgers a chance to advance to the NLCS.
Listen, I hate to have anyone be fired but Dave Roberts needs to go.
Roberts has had plenty of opportunities with great talent to get it done and it hasn't happened. We can look at G7 of 2017 alone and thats grounds for not putting your players in the best position to succeed.
Players play, managers manage. He hasn't put his players in a position to succeed and has had many years to do so but has come up empty.
Roberts needs to go, while us fans will just have to wait till next year...
Get the analytics out of Dodger baseball. Bring back the humanity. Tommy Lasorda managed from his gut. Taking chances, playing hunches... We times got tough for this team most hitters start swinging for the fences. Teams that can "string a few hits together" are more likely to succeed under pressure. Just get on base and keep the train running.
Dave Roberts seems to be a wonderful man but not a manager. He had the best team in baseball for several years and won nothing!
Dodger fan from 1953.
I agree, good 162 game manager, and players like him, maybe, just maybe he learned from this postseason's mistakes. Kershaw should've been gone after 1st He, then Kolarek. Kelly can GO way too many hot & cold performances. Jansen should've pitched the 10th.
Bollinger could ONLY WIN MAP, if there were 2 awards,,,,,1st half/2nd half........he'd get 1st half duh!
Replace Roberts.
Don't touch the roster.
Go get Joe Madden. Roberts had multiple opportunities to make the right call. Too devoted to Kershaw. As stated,after Kershaw struck out Eaton that should have been it! The bullpen was ready and Maeda has been great.
Fire Roberts hire Mike Scioscia he has won a WS which Roberts never will. Roberts worries too much about being friends with the players and consequently does not make the tough correct decision, He should have used Freese and not Taylor with runners in scoring position to games ago. He brought in Taylor and Taylor struck out what a surprise!
He uses Kershaw in relief when stats show Kershaw is not a good pitcher his first two inning his ERA is over 5!!
Fire Roberts or Never win the WS with him at the Helm...It will be 50 years before we win the WS again.
Dave Roberts should be fired today. Horrible managing of this pitching staff... again. He hasn’t learned anything over the past three years. Get him out of the dugout ASAP. Please! 52 year Dodgers fan.
Totally agree with your analysis. Mattingly was let go for similar reasons, justifiably. Thanks for the memories, Dave, but with this talent, you should have one at least 1 WS. The run of this group is almost over. And please please please give us pitchers who don’t pitch batting practice in key situations!
It's so hard to say yes and it's so hard to say no. Dave does an amazing job running this team. He is the reason they are such a tight group, why they play selflessly, why they have won the division every year he's been here. But his moves in the postseason are inexplicable. Bringing in Kelly in the 10th, for a second inning, and leaving him in after walking the first batter? Keeping Kersh (freakin' Kersh!) in after giving up the homer to Rendon? With Jansen, Maeda and Kolarek all ready to go? Yanking Hill in the 6th inning last year? I just don't get it.
But I love the guy. So what do you do? I really don't know. I can see a solid argument for keeping him or firing him.
Yes, Mr Roberts is great guy and a great manager : BUT(?)
3 TIMES IN A ROW is ENOUGH
Retire him to the manager’s office and hire a guy who’s more interested in WINNING a World Series, not just in racking up good feelings and giving players a chance. I LOVE Kershaw , but, the man is PAST his prime. Mr Roberts is a GREAT guy and is a loyal fan.. but like Kershaw can’t perform in The Post Season. Time to
MOVE ON
"I feel the Dodger won 106 games despite Roberts." You can't be serious!
I am serious. I coached baseball at the junior college level. Hence my comment. What are your qualifications?
Why praise Roberts for winning the NL West every year? Look at the NL West, my cat could manage the Dodgers to a NL West title again next year. I get it, back to back World Series appearances, but how many times are they going to let Roberts lead the powerhouse Dodgers into the playoffs when he Just. Can’t. Win.
At least he said he’s cool with taking the blame. Yeah great, enjoy your offseason and win another NL West title next year, then choke again. Thanks, Dave.
Lasorda, might not have won 106 games with this team, but he would not have lost this series, nor would he have lost to Houston two years ago.
Next question, would you rather have Bellinger or Verlander and 1 World Series Title, two years ago and still have a chance for another? I”ll take Verlander!!!
How about keep Roberts and let him manage the regular season but leave him off the playoff roster and bring in a semi retired manager to handle the post season?
There are plenty of players to blame. But it is a manager's job to know who struggling and replace them. Belly having problems? Give him a rest and start Kike, Friese, and a bunch of other guys. And keep in mind this happens every year.
Dodger Stadium is loud place and I don't think you can win if the manager has poisoned the fans. The Boos will be deafening.
Dave Roberts is great. We can all agree on that. But there's a difference between a great manager and managers that have won World Series titles. Let's get one of those. His name is Joe Maddon. And if he signs with the Angels over the Dodgers, or if there Dodgers don't try to get him then they're both stupid. Because the Angela's ownership is empty promises and Dave Roberts just can't get it done for some reason
The mismanagement by Roberts is remarkable. It's clear that Roberts is unable to actually read the pulse of his pitchers, nor is he able to understand the urgency of winning THE GAME in a one game series. Additionally, Roberts reliance on following his pre game plan, instead of being able to adapt to the situation, or moment, is absolutely startling. There is no way that he can be trusted in critical situations in the post season, none.
Roberts has mismanaged post season games since he got here. When the team wins, it does so despite him and when they lose it is because of his inability to understand even the basic elements of baseball. Enough excuses for this guy. They have more talent than anyone and continue to underachieve. He needs to go and they need to get Buck or Scioscia to manage this team. Go old school. It is clear that Dave Roberts is not capable of running this team through a playoff run and winning it all. His terrible decisions are not excusable. His decisions in 2017 were bad. 2018 was worse and this series boarded on insanity. If you know anything about this game, you understand he cost the team last night's game with some of the worst pitching moves ever made.
Andrew Friedman should be fired. He signed 2 free agents coming into this season-AJ Pollock and Joe Kelly. Look what those 2 players did in the Post-Season. Pollock goes 0 for 13 with 11 strikeouts and Joe Kelly has a horrible season and post-season. Please Dodgers-FIRE FRIEDMAN.