Dodgers Manager Frustrated by Weather Delay and Pitching Challenges
Dave Roberts Expresses Displeasure with Cleveland's Handling of Weather Delay and Its Impact on Dodgers' Pitching Decisions
After an unusual incident marked by confusion, Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, expressed his frustration with the Cleveland organization’s handling of a weather delay, stating that it should have been managed differently, in turn affecting their pitching strategies. The incident unfolded on Wednesday, resulting in the postponement of the game. Roberts’ frustration lies in the potential missed opportunities that this delay has caused for the Dodgers.
Roberts, candidly addressing reporters after the postponed game, revealed that the timing of the weather delay had disrupted the team’s pitching plans, posing significant challenges. He highlighted that the game’s unusual 7-inning format, preceding the regular scheduled game, complicated their decision-making process regarding pitching choices. A critical consequence of this is that Clayton Kershaw, a pivotal player, could not be held back for a Thursday game.
A tactical consideration was that if the game had not commenced at all due to the weather delay, the Dodgers could have conserved Kershaw’s participation for the subsequent day. Roberts lamented that the circumstances prevented them from maximizing their pitching resources effectively. The timing of the field’s coverage during the rain also emerged as a point of contention. Had Cleveland’s grounds crew delayed covering the field until the rain’s arrival, the Dodgers might have managed to complete five innings, allowing them to make the most of the situation.
The situation is further complicated by recent events. The Dodgers faced a doubleheader last Saturday, and the looming possibility of rain in Boston on Friday raises concerns about scheduling. If the weather hampers the Dodgers’ game against the Red Sox on Friday, a doubleheader on Saturday becomes a necessity. This intricate web of scheduling challenges has significantly impacted the Dodgers’ pitching arrangements.
Roberts revealed the underlying complexities in managing the team’s bullpen. With rainouts and doubleheaders, he is keen to avoid overburdening any relievers. The effectiveness of pitchers like Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol hinges on maintaining their rhythm through consistent play. When they don’t get enough opportunities, their performance suffers, highlighting the broader challenges the Dodgers are grappling with.
“I do think we could have got through 4 considering the pace of play, the way the game was going – and potentially 5 innings. … I wish we could have kept playing until we saw rain drops. That’s not my department. But I do think that we could have got some more baseball in.”
In the face of these trials, Roberts remains optimistic. He asserts that the Dodgers will overcome this demanding schedule and emerge stronger. However, he also points out that Cleveland’s approach to the situation could have alleviated some of the stress the Dodgers currently face. The unorthodox 7-inning game format on Thursday, resulting from the weather delay, placed an additional burden on the Dodgers’ shoulders.
As the team navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen how they will adapt their strategies and emerge from this situation stronger than before.
