Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Won’t Be Using Traditional Starters in the Postseason

LA seems to going toward the strength-in-numbers approach.

As the Dodgers head into the postseason this weekend, they do so without their normal strength from the last few seasons: A quality starting rotation. It has been apparent all season long, but LA has managed to stay above ground despite the issues.

So, as the playoffs get going, the Dodgers won’t be using a conventional approach to the games. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave away some of the plans for the team during an interview with insiders Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

“I don’t see any of these guys really being six-plus innings. I think that the collection of 12 to 13 arms, I think the arm talent is really special, they’re unique. I think that there’s not a lot of familiarity with other hitters, so I think that from one side it could be a position of strength.”



Via New York Post Baseball Podcast

LA will be relying on a ton of pitchers who don’t have a lot of experience during this postseason run, but it’s the reality that they find themselves in. They will be taking on the strength-in-numbers approach, rather than having just a few guys dominating the innings.

It has worked for them throughout the season, and they plan to keep it going. And it’s not the worst idea for this team, especially given the uncertain nature that some of the pitchers have entering the playoffs.

“Certainly there’s an unknown for some of our young players in the postseason. But I think we’re just going to kinda of throw a bunch of different looks at guys and go from there. And I really feel that we’re gonna prevent runs.”



Via New York Post Baseball Podcast

Guys like Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan and others will be counted on to come up big in crucial situations, and if they can, the Dodgers will be in great shape. LA has built up their farm system over the years, and this will be a chance to really put their depth to work.

The Dodgers have hopefully learned from past mistakes over the years, and maybe this year will be different with this approach. Hopefully, they can make the correct moves, and it all results in them winning another World Series.