After a stunning 18-inning walk-off victory in Game 3, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts faced criticism for his decision-making in Game 4 of the World Series. The Dodgers suffered a disappointing 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, which evened the series at two games apiece. One of the most controversial moves came when Roberts pulled starter Shohei Ohtani in the seventh inning, despite the game still being within reach.
Roberts opted to replace Ohtani with relievers Anthony Banda and Blake Treinen, who have struggled in the postseason. This decision backfired as the duo allowed a total of four inherited runners to score, dramatically shifting the game's momentum. The Dodgers had entered the seventh inning down by just one run, but the pitching changes quickly turned a manageable situation into a five-run deficit.
Critics, including popular Dodgers X account @BlakeHHarris, questioned the logic of bringing in Treinen, who had a dismal 9.00 ERA this postseason. "I just don’t know how you even think of going to Treinen in this situation with the game still in reach," Harris tweeted, reflecting the frustration of many fans.
Ohtani's pitching performance had been solid up until the seventh inning. He had thrown just 93 pitches, allowing only six hits and one walk. However, after allowing a single and a double with no outs, Roberts made the decision to turn to Banda, who entered the game with a troubling 7.36 ERA this postseason. Critics pointed out that Banda's performance in Game 1, where he allowed three runs, should have raised red flags.
“It just kind of happened right there where I just felt we needed to find a way to get a punchout and trying to get Banda on three lefties,” Roberts explained after the game. Despite his reasoning, the move proved costly as Banda allowed an immediate RBI single to lefty Andres Gimenez, extending the Blue Jays' lead. An additional groundout from Ty France further compounded the Dodgers' woes, bringing the score to 4-1.
After an intentional walk to Vladimir Guerrero, Roberts called upon Treinen, hoping for a turnaround. Unfortunately, Treinen continued the trend of ineffective pitching, allowing RBI singles to Bo Bichette and Addison Barger, solidifying a 6-1 lead for the Blue Jays. The Dodgers’ hopes for a comeback were all but extinguished, with many fans lamenting that “everyone in the stadium knew what was going to happen when Treinen came in except the guy who brought him in,” as tweeted by Lakers content creator @AnthonyIrwinLA.
As the Dodgers prepare for Game 5, they will turn to Blake Snell to face off against Blue Jays rookie Trey Yesavage. Snell, who took the loss in their previous encounter, will need to deliver a strong performance to keep the Dodgers’ championship hopes alive. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the Dodgers' bullpen remains a concern, especially after the struggles of Banda and Treinen in Game 4. Fans are left wondering if these relievers will be called upon in high-pressure situations again.
For those looking to catch the World Series action, a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV offers a great option, featuring over 125 channels including FOX, the MLB network, and ESPN. With plans starting at $49.99/month and a 5-day free trial available, fans can stay tuned to see how the Dodgers respond in this pivotal series.
