Dave Roberts, the manager of the Dodgers, knows the importance of urgency in a playoff series. He was part of the historic comeback by the Red Sox against the Yankees in 2004, and he understands how quickly momentum can shift in a series.
Going into Game 5 of the NLCS against the Mets, Roberts emphasized the need for urgency. However, once the game started, that urgency seemed to be lacking. Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty struggled from the beginning, giving up a three-run homer to Pete Alonso in the first inning. Despite Roberts’ claims of urgency, Flaherty never seemed to settle down, and the game quickly got away from the Dodgers.
Roberts mentioned that Flaherty had been under the weather, which may have contributed to his lackluster performance. However, Roberts’ decision-making during the game also came into question. Flaherty was left in the game longer than he should have been, leading to a significant deficit for the Dodgers.
Despite a late rally by the Dodgers’ offense, the team ultimately fell short in Game 5. Roberts chose not to use his top relievers, opting to save them for Game 6. While this decision may have been strategic, it also highlighted the missed opportunity in Game 5 to make a comeback and potentially secure the series.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers still hold a 3-2 series lead and have a strong chance of winning the pennant. However, Game 5 served as a reminder of the importance of urgency and decisive action in playoff baseball. Roberts and the Dodgers will need to regroup and come out with a sense of purpose in Game 6 to secure their spot in the World Series.
