Roberts makes the right moves for the Dodgers in Game 5

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts makes some questionable decisions and in the World Series those decisions are magnified. In Game 5 of the 2020 World Series, he made three decisions that were absolutely perfect. Each one shows how Roberts has learned from his mistakes and adjusted to put the Dodgers in position to win their first World Series since 1988.

The Dodgers won Game 5 of the World Series, 4-2, against the Tampa Rays. The first right decision Roberts made was starting Joc Pederson in left field. Pederson hasn’t been one of the better hitters on the Dodgers. He hit .190 with seven home runs in the regular season. But in the playoffs, Pederson comes up with big hits. In Game 5 of the World Series, he hit a solo home run in the second inning to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. It proved to be the difference in the game. In the World Series, Pederson is hitting .400, only second on the team to Corey Seager, who is hitting an insane .471.

To think before the season started, Pederson was almost traded to the Los Angeles Angels. The deal fell through and Pederson remained a Dodger. Even though he struggled through the regular season, he is a vital part of the World Series team.

“I couldn’t be happier that he remained a Dodger,” Roberts told the Associated Press after Game 5.

Sometimes the best trades in baseball are the ones that aren’t made.

The second right decision Roberts made was pulling Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw in the sixth inning. The biggest mistake Roberts has made in the past with Kershaw, especially in the World Series, is keeping Kershaw in games too long. Not in Game 5. Even though Kershaw was winning, and retired seven batters in a row, Roberts decided to pull him with two outs in the sixth inning. It was absolutely the right move despite protests from teammates, Justin Turner in particular, and fans in the stands.

"I thought he pitched a heck of a game," Roberts told ESPN. "And to go out there and get two more hitters (in the sixth), we felt that that would be good enough. And at that point in time, once he did that, I thought it was time to take the baseball. And I think he felt good."

Kershaw might have felt good, but Dodger fans were filled with doubt and fear. Thank goodness Dodger fans don’t manage the Dodgers.  

The third right decision Roberts made putting in relief pitcher Blake Treinen to close the game. Instead of calling on Kenley Jansen, who blew the save in Game 4 and has some rocky relief appearances throughout his playoff career, Roberts gave Treinen the ball to get the final three outs of the game. Dodger fans lost confidence in Jansen a while ago. But Roberts has stuck with Jansen despite his shortcomings in high stakes games. Treinen was well aware of the weight of the moment.

“In the playoffs, we forget how hard and locked in people are because it’s do or die,” Treinen told the New York Post. “That meant a lot to me personally because this team has invested a lot in me. It’s gratifying.”

Treinen gave the Dodgers life and put them one step closer to ending 32 years of World Series failures.

Roberts is making the right moves when it matters most. Game 5 was the moment Roberts learned what it takes to get his team over the hump.

Game 6 is Tuesday. Let’s go Dodgers.