LOS ANGELES – Reflecting on a tense moment in the World Series, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted he nearly faced the unprecedented situation of putting a position player on the mound. A month ago, he would have thought such a scenario improbable, considering the intensity of postseason play.
The Dodgers narrowly beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5, thanks to Freddie Freeman’s dramatic 18th-inning home run, which put them ahead 2-1 in the best-of-seven Series. As both teams battled into the late innings, the conversation shifted to the possibility of utilizing position players due to dwindling pitching resources.
Despite the increasing likelihood of running out of pitchers, neither Roberts nor Blue Jays manager John Schneider expressed a desire to adopt the automatic-runner rule employed in regular-season extra innings since 2020. This rule, which places a runner at second base to expedite the game, has been utilized in 209 extra-inning matchups this season, with none surpassing 13 innings. During this period, the longest game involving the Dodgers was a grueling 16-inning affair against San Diego in August 2021.
“Part of winning a seven-game series is facing the battle of attrition with pitching,” Roberts said, emphasizing the unique challenge posed by extra-inning games.
The pressure mounted as both teams continued to expend their bullpens. Toronto’s second baseman, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, began to ponder the extraordinary possibility of witnessing both teams turning to position players.
Will Klein, who became the Dodgers’ record 10th pitcher in the Series, had a standout performance, pitching four innings with 72 pitches—an impressive increase from his previous career highs. Meanwhile, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who had already thrown a complete game in Game 2, was prepared to take the mound again in the 19th inning, further underscoring the taxing nature of the extended matchup.
If Yamamoto had been unavailable, Miguel Rojas, a reserve infielder, would have been next in line, reflecting the dire circumstances both teams faced. The Blue Jays, too, were in a tight spot; their scheduled starter Shane Bieber was seen warming up in the bullpen, while rookie Trey Yesavage was next in line should they run out of conventional pitchers.
Schneider commented on the automatic runner rule, expressing his preference for tradition in baseball. “It’s unique because that’s how you play for 162 games and then that goes away,” he stated, implying the need for teams to construct their rosters with such scenarios in mind.
As the teams prepared for Game 4, Roberts felt invigorated and ready for the challenge ahead. “I took a little sleep aid to get off my high and woke up with clarity, freshness, and excited to go tonight,” he shared.
The intense competition between the Dodgers and Blue Jays showcases the resilience and spirit of the teams, highlighting the unpredictability and excitement that makes baseball captivating, especially in the postseason.