Dodgers’ Dave Roberts On Struggling Players, Justin Turner at DH and More

The Dodgers will play the Astros in Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday before taking the series back to Los Angeles. They are coming off of a successful Game 4 that was filled with brilliant pitching and hot bats, specifically from Alex Wood and Cody Bellinger.

Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for Game 5, which gives the Dodgers a huge advantage. In Game 1 of the World Series, Kershaw pitched seven innings and gave up just one run on three hits. He will go up against Astros’ Dallas Keuchel, who pitched 6.2 innings in Game 1 and gave up three runs on six hits.

Below are the lineups that both teams will go with for Game 5 of the World Series.

https://twitter.com/mlblineups/status/924742361607032833

Dave Roberts caught up with MLB Network before Sunday’s game and talked about struggling players, the lineup for Game 5, and more! Here are some of the highlights:

Dave Roberts on struggling players and how he knows whether or not to continue using them or to go with somebody else:

I think that with Cody Bellinger, with Corey, with Yasiel who struggled early… To bet on the player, and the man, and the preparation, I’ll bet on that and I think that it paid off [Saturday] night with Cody.

Dave Roberts on the planning that goes into a game and how that potentially changes:

I think that there is no one script because I think that we talk through so many different scenarios… I will say this is that I didn’t expect Alex Wood to go no-hitter through five, and he pitched his tail off.

Dave Roberts on whether the Dodgers will use Brandon Morrow in Game 5 and why Justin Turner is out of the lineup:

There’s no definitive. I know that if he had it his way he’d be available, but yeah. We have a lot of good arms in the pen. And I definitely am conscious of not putting him in harm’s way. But Brandon has been huge for us, obviously.

Today JT’s going to DH. He’s got a little calf thing, nothing serious, but I think to keep him off his feet.

Check out the full interview below!

https://twitter.com/MrBrianKenny/status/924752575030849538

What are your predictions for the last game for the World Series at Minute Maid Park? Let us know in the comments below!