Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Dave Roberts Talks Mercy Rule, Plan for Dustin May

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts talked to Alanna Rizzo of Sports Net LA ahead of Wednesday night’s inter-league affair with the Toronto Blue Jays. They discussed the challenges of crafting a lineup against an opener, Dustin May’s future, and his opinion on the mercy rule proposal.

Dustin May’s Role

Dave Roberts shed some light on the organizational plan for top pitching prospect Dustin May in the coming weeks:

“With Dustin [May], he is going to have a little bit of a layoff. He’s going to make a start here…we have him penciled in. He’s going to make another bullpen here in a couple days. It’s more for him to see hitters, be a little more aggressive against a right-handed hitter, and use his mix.”

Dustin May most recently pitched on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves, where he made his first career relief appearance in the big leagues and allowed four earned runs over two innings of work.

Dave Roberts also stated that the Dustin May bullpen experiment is not over:

“We wanted to get him into the ‘pen to get his feet wet, which we did. He is still going to have appearances out of the ‘pen. But in the short term, get him to make a start and then to potentially get him back in the ‘pen is the way we are going to do it.”

May could prove valuable on the October postseason roster, whether or not it be as a starter.

Roberts on the Mercy Rule

In recent days, managers across the league have been fielding questions regarding a potential league-wide mercy rule, including notable proponent, Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone. Dave Roberts talked about his personal opinion on the matter:

“It’s multi-layered. I understand Aaron’s [Boone] thoughts, but there is a bigger picture taking into account TV and fans that pay good money to watch a baseball game. Everyone has different thoughts, I just don’t see that happening.”

I don’t see it happening either. I hope it never does happen.

Daniel Preciado

My name is Daniel Preciado and I am 19 years old. I am a sophomore Sport Analytics major and Cognitive Science and Economics dual minor at Syracuse University. When I am not in New York, I live in Whittier, California --- not too far from Chavez Ravine. I am pretty old-school for being an analytics guy and I will always embrace debate. Also, Chase Utley did absolutely nothing wrong.

19 Comments

  1. The Dodgers plan to go back and forth with May as a starter and reliever just may not be in his best interests in the long run as far as I am concerned. That is quite a bit to ask since as I understand it, he’s been a starter most of his pro career so far.

    1. To the Dodger FO and to posters on this board, listen to what PaulDodgerFan1965 is saying. First, do not ruin May : leave his as a starter where he has shown much promise and transition Maeda, Hill into the BP as we get closer to the post season. Second, the mercy rule : stop changing the game. We pay good money to go to Chavez or watch the games on our systems only to have them curtailed when the Blue Crew unloads with a dinger barrage. Not fair. Play the game out!!!! I did not like the games on YouTube : frankly, that meant I was paying twice to see the same game. Baseball is a kids game run by adults who seem to want the game over as soon as possible. Hey Mr Commissioner, I bet you want to usher in the era of 90 minute games. I, for one, say late the games begin and go on and on and on!!!

  2. How about a mercy rule for how many consecutive division titles you’re allowed to hog without actually bringing a title home before you’re banned. It’ll save the team hogging them further humiliation and it’ll give other teams a chance to do something special without having to play a one off game

    1. They already have a solution for that………..it’s called “someone go and win the division from them”. It’s not the Dodgers fault the rest of the teams in the division can’t keep up.

      1. Our team is so wasteful, of course they’re going to win the division every year but to never ever bring a championship home is disgusting for us and for the other teams in our division. I’ve never seen such a wasted era

        1. You think so … Try the McCourt and Murdock eras. If you’ve been a Dodger fan longer than 15 minutes you appreciate this team.

          1. I don’t appreciate the players on the field wasting great teams. I’m not talking about ownership

    2. Then have your team field a better squad to beat them. If your team cant go fartherthan that team thats more embarrasing

      1. I’m a dodger fan fool. It’s just so wasteful and if we aren’t getting anything out of it then what’s the point. Let someone else have a shot

  3. This program for May is Mickey Mouse, even by Roberts’ standards. What is next, try him at 3rd base? Bring him into the rotation as a fifth starter and see how it goes.

  4. Stop screwing with the young 21 year’s head. He’s a starter and Gonsolin should be the reliever as he has had more experience doing it. We all remember what the Joc Pederson at first base fiasco was. Experimenting is not now when every game matters for home field advantage.You experiment in the Spring.Roberts is not making decisions,the front office is.Stop!

    1. I agree. Most of the decisions that we can’t stand are the FO. Roberts is a smart baseball guy and if left alone wouldn’t do many of the things that fans complain about

      1. NODH, unfortunately that’s the way FO along with Roberts like to run things WS or no WS ring. I do know the Dodgers have to be aware of May’s preference to start but IIWII.

    2. May is a pitcher being asked to pitch. Insinuating that in will in any way hinder his development is ridiculous. People overthink this… Using top starting pitching prospects as relievers for your postseason roster is a smart way to bolster your pen with talented arms without having to give up prospects at the deadline to do so. It’s nothing new and has proven successful in recent history.
      Cardinals did it with Wainwright, Haren, Lynn, and Martinez. Indians with Salazar and Clevinger. Astros with Musgrove. Tigers with Porcello and Smylye.
      Dodgers even did it with Koufax and were seeing Urias dominate in that role now. There is no reason to believe that May wont thrive in that role or that it will have a negative affect on his development.

  5. Rookie pitchers used to spot start and relieve is nothing new. Sandy, Fernando, Bob Welsh, Orel – they all did it. What’s the big deal?

      1. Hell, I’d be a choke artist if I could get my hands around your sorry neck. Get out of here and let intelligent people discuss the Dodgers.

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