How Dave Roberts’ Bullpen Blunders Led to a Stunning Dodgers Game 4 World Series Collapse

Last night, Dave Roberts made some questionable choices after a thrilling Game 3 win for the Dodgers. In Game 4, he pulled starter Shohei Ohtani in the seventh inning. The team ended up losing 6-2 to the Blue Jays, tying the World Series at 2-2.

After a strong performance, Ohtani allowed two runners on base. Roberts turned to Anthony Banda and Blake Treinen, neither of whom had delivered great results lately. This decision faced immediate backlash, especially after Banda allowed an RBI single that pushed the score to 3-1.

Social media erupted with criticism. One user wondered how Roberts could opt for Treinen, who came into the game with a 9.00 ERA this postseason. The sentiment was widespread; fans felt that everyone saw the problem except Roberts himself.

To give some context, the Dodgers’ bullpen had to pitch over 13 innings to secure their Game 3 win. This likely limited Roberts’ options heading into Game 4, but many felt that Ohtani should have remained on the mound. He had thrown just 93 pitches with a solid performance, allowing only six hits and one walk.

Ohtani’s third-inning struggle against Vladimir Guerrero was a turning point, allowing a two-run homer that shifted momentum to the Blue Jays. By the time Roberts made his decision, the pressure mounted, and the game slipped away from the Dodgers.

This kind of decision-making can often make or break a game. According to a recent study from the National Sports Analytics Group, managers who rely on gut feelings without considering analytics can significantly impact their teams’ chances of winning. In this case, it appears Roberts’ instinct didn’t pay off.

Now, the Dodgers are looking to regroup for Game 5. They’ll send Blake Snell to the mound, hoping for a better outcome against rookie Trey Yesavage. This matchup will be crucial, especially since the bullpen may not be as reliable after last night’s debacle.

In high-pressure games like the World Series, every decision can define a team’s fate. Fans are eager to see how Roberts will adjust moving forward—but for now, there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Dodgers. Will they change their approach or stick to the same strategy? Only time will tell.

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