Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled all the right levers in the team\u2019s journey through October, but one decision in particular perfectly embodied why he is so adored by his players.<\/p>\n
In Game 5 of the World Series, Roberts chose to leave Blake Treinen on the mound, despite the reliever giving up a double to Aaron Judge and a walk to Jazz Chisholm Jr. Treinen, 36, had been deployed from the bullpen unexpectedly in the sixth inning.<\/p>\n
Brudar Graterol walked the first two hitters of the sixth and allowed the New York Yankees to take a 6-5 lead on a sacrifice fly from Giancarlo Stanton. After a third walk from Graterol, Roberts had Treinen face Anthony Volpe.<\/p>\n
Treinen executed as Volpe grounded out to second on a full count. The best reliever in the Dodgers\u2019 bullpen took care of the seventh in order but then faced trouble in the eighth.<\/p>\n
Roberts was going to stick with Treinen as long as possible, but once Judge doubled and Chisholm walked, the prospect of leaving the veteran on the mound seemed slim.<\/p>\n
Instead of pitching coach Mark Prior, it was Roberts who walked to the mound. To the surprise of many, Roberts didn\u2019t make a pitching change, but took a few seconds to slow down the game for Treinen and left his best reliever in the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just wanted to feel his heartbeat and just kind of look him in the eye and say, \u2018What do you got?’\u201d Roberts explained. \u201cAnd he said, \u2018I want him.\u2019 And so I said, \u2018All right, you got this hitter.\u2019 Because my intention was for him to get one hitter.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n When people ask why Dave Roberts is a great manager:<\/p>\n "I just wanted to look in Blake's eyes. Blake's our guy, Blake's been our guy."<\/p>\n "I looked in his eyes, I said, \u2018How are you feeling? How much more you got?' He said, \u2018I want it,' and I trusted him.\u201dpic.twitter.com\/qgCFygdLte<\/a><\/p>\n — Noah Camras (@noahcamras) October 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n