Just In: Dodgers’ Coach, Dave Roberts has heated conversation with Board for Game 3 loss sending LA to….See Details

Just In: Dodgers’ Coach, Dave Roberts has heated conversation with Board for Game 3 loss sending LA to….See Details

In a surprising turn of events following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Game 3 loss to the Padres 6-5, manager Dave Roberts found himself in a heated discussion with the team’s front office. The defeat, which placed the Dodgers on the brink of elimination in the National League Division Series, has ignited tensions within the organization as they grapple with postseason performance issues.

During the post-game debrief, sources revealed that Roberts expressed frustration over several strategic decisions made leading up to the game. The Dodgers fell 6-5, with key errors and missed opportunities to capitalize on scoring chances coming under scrutiny. Roberts reportedly questioned the decision-making processes regarding pitching changes and lineup adjustments that have plagued the team throughout the series.

The conversation quickly escalated, with Roberts emphasizing the need for a more aggressive approach in crucial situations. His insistence on better preparation and adaptability drew mixed reactions from board members, some of whom defended the existing strategies while others echoed his concerns. The stakes are high as the Dodgers, a team accustomed to success, face the prospect of an early postseason exit.

Roberts, who has led the Dodgers since 2016 and guided them to a World Series title in 2020, is known for his passionate leadership. However, this latest confrontation raises questions about the team’s direction and cohesiveness as they prepare for a must-win Game 4.

With the clock ticking and the pressure mounting, the Dodgers must rally together if they hope to avoid a stunning early exit and keep their championship aspirations alive. The upcoming game will not only test their skills on the field but also the strength of their leadership and unity off it.

2 Dodgers to blame for Game 3 loss sending LA to brink of elimination

The Dodgers fumbled Game 3 to the Padres 6-5, who’s to blame for their disappointing loss?
Oct 8, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers players watch in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres during game three of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park.  Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

This year’s MLB playoffs have made one thing clear: momentum means little — unless you’re the San Diego Padres. After dropping Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres rallied to tie the series in Game 2. In a pivotal Game 3 at Petco Park, the Padres outlasted the Dodgers, securing a 6-5 victory to take a 2-1 series lead.

What was supposed to be a routine win for the Dodgers quickly unraveled, largely due to a second-inning collapse. Here are three Dodgers who failed to deliver, leaving fans frustrated and anxious as their team now faces elimination.

2. Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman has been battling an ankle injury since the end of the regular season, and it’s clear it has impacted his postseason form. Although he powered through the discomfort for three games, a costly error in the second inning overshadowed his efforts.

After Manny Machado singled to center field, Jackson Merrill hit a sharp line drive to Freeman. Struggling to stay on his feet, Freeman, from his knees, attempted an ambitious double play, but his throw to second base was wild, hitting Machado’s helmet. The ball ricocheted into left-center field, putting runners on the corners and swinging the momentum firmly in San Diego’s favor.

His lone hit came in the eighth inning, but the damage had already been done. Pinch-runner Chris Taylor replaced him to avoid further strain on Freeman’s injured ankle, marking the end of a tough night for the 35-year-old veteran.

1. Walker Buehler

Walker Buehler came into Game 3 with a respectable postseason résumé, holding a 3-4 record, a 3.40 ERA, and 101 strikeouts over 16 playoff appearances. Despite a shaky regular season, the Dodgers were left with no choice but to start him, given their injury-depleted rotation. Buehler navigated through the top of the Padres’ order in the first inning, but everything fell apart in the second.

Visibly frustrated, Buehler stormed into the dugout after the inning, hurling his glove and a trash can in anger. Despite the meltdown, manager Dave Roberts let him pitch into the fifth inning, though he eventually removed Buehler after one more batter, bringing a frustrating outing to an end.

“Obviously, the pitch to Tatis was a bad decision,” Roberts acknowledged after the game. “When you give a team as good as the Padres extra opportunities, it becomes almost impossible to prevent runs.”

The Dodgers’ outlook

Despite breakout performances from Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernández, the Dodgers couldn’t find a way to seal the victory. They managed just one hit in the final four innings, struggling to make an impact against the Padres’ bullpen. As the team now faces the brink of elimination, they’ll need to regroup and find a way to spark their offense.

The Dodgers now face a do-or-die Game 4, with their once-promising season on the brink. They will face Dylan Cease, the same pitcher they managed to beat in Game 1. With a chance to force a decisive Game 5, the Dodgers must dig deep to avoid an early postseason exit and keep their World Series hopes alive.

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