Game 4 Decision-Making and the Playoff Stakes
In Game 4 of the World Series, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts faced an unusual choice, especially in such a critical setting. With his team leading the series 3-1 and one win away from a championship, Roberts could either utilize his top relievers in a bid to come back from behind or reserve his high-leverage arms for future games. Roberts ultimately opted for the latter, choosing a conservative approach that sacrificed Game 4 to keep the bullpen fresh for subsequent matchups. Despite the Dodgers’ 11-4 loss to the New York Yankees, Roberts and his team are betting that this decision will soon pay dividends.
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“It’s challenging,” Roberts admitted. “You need to be confident that you can put some runs on the board.” Certainly, any guy we used tonight wouldn’t have been able to pitch tomorrow.”
High-Leverage Relievers Fatigued After Game 3
The Dodgers’ bullpen had been heavily taxed in Game 3, with six relievers combining for 100 pitches to secure a critical victory. This effort put Roberts in a bind, as deploying the same relievers in Game 4 would have compromised their readiness for Game 5. Instead, the Dodgers turned to less prominent pitchers, Ben Casparius and Landon Knack, who held the Yankees to just two runs over six innings.By the eighth inning, the Dodgers found themselves down by just a two-run margin. However, rather than using one of his more reliable arms, Roberts brought in Brent Honeywell, a long reliever. Honeywell, who had previously helped the Dodgers in high-pressure games, ultimately surrendered five runs, sealing the Yankees' victory and turning Game 4 into a rout.
Key Moments and Missed Opportunities
While the Dodgers struggled on the mound, Freddie Freeman continued his impressive streak at the plate. Freeman’s two-run homer in the first inning marked his sixth consecutive World Series game with a home run, a record dating back to 2021. The Yankees, however, answered quickly, with four runs in the third inning. The Dodgers’ lone high-leverage pitcher in Game 4, Daniel Hudson, struggled as well, hitting Aaron Judge and walking Giancarlo Stanton. The pivotal blow came from Anthony Volpe, who launched a grand slam that gave the Yankees a commanding 5-2 lead.
“That was his inning,” Roberts noted, referring to Hudson’s third-inning assignment. “"He had around 20 pitches under his belt, give or take.". He had Volpe up, so I’m not going to bring somebody in during the third inning for just one batter.”
Dodgers’ Bullpen Strategy Throughout the Postseason
The Dodgers have often relied on their bullpen to survive high-stakes games, having done so successfully in both the NL Division Series and the NLCS. However, this bullpen-heavy approach has been a mixed bag; it worked in Game 4 of the NLDS and clinched the pennant in Game 6 of the NLCS, but failed to deliver in Game 2 of the NLCS and again in Game 4 of the World Series. Now, the Dodgers aim to avoid further reliance on bullpen games, with top starters lined up for potential Game 6 and Game 7 if needed.
If the series returns to Los Angeles, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to pitch Game 6, and Walker Buehler is lined up for a decisive Game 7. For Game 5 in New York, Jack Flaherty will face Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. To support Flaherty, the Dodgers will have their top relievers, including Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, Alex Vesia, Anthony Banda, Ryan Brasier, and Michael Kopech, all rested and ready to go.
Looking Ahead: Dodgers’ Strategic Gamble
The Dodgers took a calculated risk by reserving their bullpen in Game 4, hoping it would position them for a more competitive performance in Game 5 and beyond. Looking back on Reflecting on the decision, Roberts stated, “We anticipated this would be a bullpen game.”. Having six relievers fresh and ready to go gives me confidence — especially with a 3-1 lead."
As they prepare for Game 5, the Dodgers stand by their strategy, wagering that short-term sacrifice will yield long-term gain as they continue their pursuit of the championship.
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