18 Comments

I'll agree on the concept of Molly's argument. But I also calculate whether the Dodgers would even be in the position that they are in--going to the playoffs--if not for Roberts.

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Yes. They would be. Roberts is a good man but it's really hard to see decisions he's made this year that would big value and non-obvious.

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But I'm not talking "decisions." I'm talking about working with people. Billy Martin improved a lot of teams with his managing until he made it impossible for everybody to live with one another. What Molly said about the fluff, etc., is true, but it also includes keeping the team from each other's throats.

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I don't think there's any evidence there are difficult personalities on the team until recently with the weird Glasnow stuff. Ego, sure but not prima donnas.

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We don't know. And Roberts may be why. I'm not saying there is a problem or that he solved a problem. But I also think back to stuff we learned AFTER the fact.

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I think it’s a debatable point about the bunt. I would’ve kept it on, but I’m not a World Series winning manager.

The play that actually chapped my hide the most was the stupid double steal earlier in the game with Teoscar Hernandez and Mookie Betts. That was absolutely stupid. You had a man on third, in a game you knew where runs would be at a premium, and you sacrificed him for what?

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Look, if Roberts doesn't think Miggy Ro can get the bunt down he should have literally walked to the plate and taken the bat out of his hand to ensure Ohtani and Mookie would have a chance to hit.

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founding

Agree on all points. After 9 years, something has to give. A good human for sure, but not right for the big games.

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“…concept of a plan…”😂

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I respectfully but strongly disagree with this - I think Roberts absolutely made the right move, and we’re judging him by a particularly unlucky result. The Padres defensive alignment does make a hit more likely there, and the most valuable thing you can do in that scenario is not give up an out - even with Ohtani/Betts/Freeman coming up. I hate the idea of managing scared of a double play - are you really going to tell Rojas to either bunt or let himself be struck out? It’s like the flip side of everything that sucks about the intentional walk.

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Hi Molly: Very interesting. Leaving the bunt on seems like the right move.

It's old school and Dave should know that.

Leaving the bunt on results in at least one and likely two outs. Regardless, Padres likely walk Ohtani anyway. But ...then .you've got Mookie and Freddie behind him. Dodgers want those guys with bats in their hands and guys on base.

Dave overthought.

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Dave Roberts & Aaron Boone would be a world series managing matchup for the ages.

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How does the lack of performance by Mookie and Freddie escape scrutiny?

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This is the post I was hoping not to see but knew I would. I concur on all levels. Fingers crossed for the remainder of the season and the playoffs. Go Dodgers!

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As a Padres fan, I was quite pleased with the outcome. It's hard to blame the manager for a triple play. Sacrifice buns are almost always dumb.

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Loved this breakdown of the situation and the thinking!

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Great breakdown. In Roberts’ defense, the front office has long been anti-bunt and anti-base stealing. They have not adapted to larger bases or the shift rules change while orgs like the DBacks have. It seems Roberts is not always free to play small ball the way he’d like.

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Yeah, a really tough position for Roberts, but why not just try bunting again, and I would argue even try it with 3 strikes. Even if he strikes out, it's still Ohtani up with runners on. Definitely the wrong call.

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