When the Los Angeles were three outs from a stolen base in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Dave Roberts decided to head to the bullpen.
Blake Snell, the starting pitcher for this game, not only stepped up when the team needed it most, but also contributed to postseason history. Snell struck out from 10 to 8 innings, walked no balls and allowed just one single in the third inning, making him the first pitcher since 1956 to face the fewest batters through eight innings in a postseason game.
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Roberts, who had thrown 103 pitches and knew that rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki (still scoreless as a reliever to that point) was waiting in the bullpen, drafted a postseason closer.
Sasaki struggled to start the season as a starting pitcher, but after being sidelined for more than four months with shoulder impingement, he returned as a formidable reliever, recording four strikeouts, just one hit, and no walks in two regular season appearances. In October, Sasaki maintained his dominance with five strikeouts, one hit, and no walks with four important outs.
All of this added to the difficult decision Roberts had to make between a proven rookie reliever and a two-time Cy Young Award winner who was trailed by two points in one of his best appearances on the mound.
“I thought it was a tough match for me,” Roberts said. “I didn’t bat until the eighth inning of the ninth inning, so there’s a chance I’ll be a regular in the next game. I thought it was 50-50.”
“Loki is pitching really well. Give us a two-run lead. It felt good to have Loki there.”
Snell said he could have come back, but he believed in his coach’s decision.
“I felt like I might be able to do it,” Snell said. “But I trust Dave. He knows what’s best for the team.”
Sasaki allowed his first unearned run in his postseason career and his first two walks in his postseason career, but Roberts gave the ball to Blake Treinen for the winning run.
The still won, and Snell’s talent wasn’t wasted, but if he can get back on track as the series progresses, the focus will shift back to Sasaki.
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Photo credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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