Trust and Triumph: Dave Roberts Faith in Freeman and…

Game 5 of the 2024 World Series turned into an all-hands-on-deck scenario for the Los Angeles Dodgers after Jack Flaherty failed to pitch deep into the game, putting manager Dave Roberts in a tough position.

While the Dodgers ultimately prevailed to win the game and clinch the World Series title, it took eight pitchers to get through the game, including 2.1 innings from Blake Treinen and an unlikely save from Walker Buehler.

Treinen was the last man standing in the Dodgers bullpen who was supposed to be available for the game, and even he had to enter in just the sixth inning because of the ineffective outing from Brusdar Graterol.

The Dodgers closer ended up retiring the final out in the sixth before throwing two more scoreless innings, but he ran into some trouble in the eighth. A double from Aaron Judge and walk from Jazz Chisholm Jr. gave the Yankees some hope with one out.

After Giancarlo Stanton flied out, Roberts went to check on his reliever with Daniel Hudson and Walker Buehler warming up in the bullpen. Instead of going to the ‘pen, Roberts listened to Treinen and left him in the game, while also getting some advice from Freddie Freeman, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN:

“I give Freddie credit,” Roberts said. “Freddie was waving me off. He kind of subtly kind of said, ‘Hey, let him stay in.’ So then I trusted the players, and Blake made a pitch.”

Treinen ended up getting Rizzo to strike out on four pitches, ending the Yankees’ threat and putting the Dodgers within three outs away from the World Series title.

But with no one left in the bullpen, it was Buehler who got the call to close out the game, despite pitching on just one day of rest after starting Game 3.

“It was one inning,” Roberts said of how long Buehler could pitch. “That’s why it was huge that Blake could get Stanton and then punch out Rizzo right there. So that was just our last bullet in the sense of with the lead.”

Buehler also made quick work of the Yankees in the ninth to record the save and clinch the World Series championship for the Dodgers.

As Roberts trusted his players, they rewarded him, and that’s a trend that took place throughout the playoffs. Roberts masterfully managed each game, even when he had to “punt” some to focus on the rest of the series.

It led to his second ring as the Dodgers’ manager, perhaps cementing him as one of the best managers in MLB history.

Dave Roberts searching for new first base coach

The Dodgers coaching staff has remained unchanged for multiple years despite Clayton McCullough continuing to be a popular candidate when managerial positions opened.

However, that changed this year as the Miami Marlins hired McCullough as their new manager. That has left the Dodgers with an open position on their staff, now needing a new first base coach.