The Dodgers have announced their 28-man roster for the World Series, making no changes to the team that defeated the Braves in a thrilling NLCS. The roster:
Right-Handed Pitchers
- Pedro Báez
- Walker Buehler (Game 3 starter)
- Dylan Floro
- Tony Gonsolin
- Brusdar Graterol
- Kenley Jansen
- Joe Kelly
- Dustin May
- Blake Treinen
Left-Handed Pitchers
- Victor Gonzalez
- Clayton Kershaw (Game 1 starter)
- Adam Kolarek
- Jake McGee
- Julio Urías
- Alex Wood
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
Even with the benefit of two off-days in the World Series schedule, the Dodgers have opted to stick with their mix of 15 pitchers and 13 position players. It isn’t a surprise given the lack of uncertainty in the rotation beyond Kershaw and Buehler, as the Dodgers have yet to name a starter for Wednesday’s Game 2. All three of Urias, May, and Gonsolin pitched in Game 7 against the Braves, so Los Angeles could use something of a bullpen-game approach to Game 2 and then use Thursday’s off-day to rest the pen in advance of Friday’s Game 3, and what they hope will be a quality start from Buehler.
Surprised Wood made the roster. I would have gone with White or Sborz for the game 2 start, as well as mop-up duty. I love Alex Wood, but he’s clearly not right and has been terrible.
Don’t think that Roberts is going to put any of those type of guys in for game 2 unless it’s a blowout either way. Wood has been terrible but not sure if Sborz or White are any better options. They may potentially offer more upside but Roberts is not going to experiment during the WS. That’s a recipe for disaster. He’s going to continue to ride the guys he’s been riding the last 2 series.
Agree. Like the roster. Game 2 will be a BP game; increasing importance of winning Game 1
Wood is likely an innings eater if TB gets a big lead.
Or vice-versa.
Fair point
I wouldn’t be surprised in bullpen game 2 if Wood gets opener duties, with an appropriate leash.
Outside of hate for the dodgers, I don’t see how anyone could pick rays to win this match up. I think padres and Braves were much better teams both in terms of lineup and rotations. Glasnow is there ace and sports a 4.66 era In postseason and his primary pitch is the fast ball (dodgers love fast balls) outside of Arozarena the lineup offense has been largely based on homeruns a lot of swing and miss. The bullpen is the rays strength for sure but was used fairly heavily in the series with the Astros. Don’t think this will be close.
Rays bullpen is very tough and their manager isn’t afraid to go to them early. Although, I do agree the Rays are a little overrated and benefited from a 60 game season
This is an accurate assessment. Their bullpen is good. However, their lineup is about league average. What’s even worse for them is outside of the rookie who’s tearing the cover off the ball, they don’t really have much. If they didn’t have this guy I doubt they would have beaten the Yankees. You can’t expect to keep winning games 2 to 1, 3 to 2, and expect that trend to continue. Also, their starting pitching is good but it’s not light’s out. Glasnow is a bit over rated in my opinion (for some reason ESPN rated him # 5 or 6 of all players in this series).
If the Rays can keep it close then they will have an advantage in those games. If the Dodgers knock out the starting pitching early then I expect the Rays to have issues.
Right move I think. Dodgers won’t get much adding another position player who will just sit on the bench. At this point though they may have quantity in the bullpen but not a lot of options that Roberts fully trusts. Besides the starters/hybrid starters, it’s Jansen, Treinen, Graterol, Baez, Gonzalez. McGee is just a body at this point. Wood a blowout mop up guy. Kelly a complete wildcard as you don’t know what kind of command he’s going to show on his fastball or slider. Roberts may have to put him out there on a high leverage situation if forced. Floro has been lower leverage for the most part but at times also forced into action. Kolarek had a terrible NLCS. He was a guy Roberts trusted but not sure for how long.
Yeah, really the only position players they have worth adding are Keibert Ruiz, to give them more flexibility with Smith, but that didn’t stop them in the NLCS; Terrance Gore, who’s just a designated runner; and Gavin Lux, who is talented but hasn’t shown much all season. Not surprised they value the pitching depth more.
I have a feeling Alex Wood is starting G2
Have a hard time believing that. Why use Wood unless you have to. A lot would have to go wrong for them to start Wood G2. A lot! I think most likely a bullpen game with Gonsolin as the starter or maybe Graterol as the opener. At this point you have to preserve Urias and May for games 4 and 5. I didn’t like how they used May in the Braves series. Give the kid proper rest and let him go 100 pitches. It’s going to be a tougher call if they lose game 1. But the Dodgers should have confidence knowing they have the deeper rotation and team. Let Kershaw go games 1 and 6. Buehler games 3 and 7. Bullpen game 2. Urias game 4 and May game 5.
A key option out of the pen is the lefty Gonzalez. He has been impressive since his call up and the Rays have quite a few lefty bats, including “power” guys Choi, Lowe, and Meadows. So far, Gonzalez has surrendered just 13 hits in 23.1 innings with two walks and zero home runs. Roberts seems to have confidence in his ability to throw strikes and handle the moment. Gonzalez has replaced Kolarek in that sense.
Nice roster. These guys will forever be remembered for failing to win the WS again.
The current Braves team won’t be remembered at all. Seriously, a lot of Braves fans are handling that NLCS loss like children.
I’d say the bitterness is amazing. But this is just “soroka’s ankle even though it’s his Achilles “
Not naming a Game 2 starter is not due to a lack of certainty (or a lack of uncertainty). I am sure they are completely certain how that game will be pitched, they are just playing those cards close to the vest, as they often do.
“A lack of uncertainty?’”
Yup. You need to have read the article to follow my comment.
Alex Wood is a wasted roster roster spot. I cannot understand why they continue to place him on a postseason roster. White, Alexander, Sborz are much better options. Frankly, with two off days, LAD would be better off with Lux on the bench over Wood’s spot.
I want to Dodgers to win the World Series but I think it is Tampa Bay’s year.
Dodgers hands down have the better team but we all know that the better team does not always win a playoff series.. If TB can keep the Dodger offense in check and score just enough runs from their anemic offense they can obviously pull it off.
They already beat the best team in baseball, now they play LA.
Where’s all the Kershaw haters?? I thought he was guaranteed to lose this game
6IP 1R 2H 8K 19 swing/misses. Oh yeah. 78 pitches
EaSy WiNs.I wAnT tHE HOFeR! Morons
Go Rays, tie up the series tonight!!
Giant’s fan here offering congratulations to WS champions LA Dodgers. I hate it, but they earned it, and all I can do is tip my cap. Enjoy it. Dodgers were the better team.