Dave Roberts is all about the matchups in Game 1 of the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers will use an all right-handed lineup against the Boston Red Sox and their ace, lefty Chris Sale.
Tonight's GM 1. Dodger lineup at Red Sox:
Dozier 2B
Turner 3B
Freese 1B
Machado SS
Taylor LF
Kemp DH
Hernández CF
Puig RF
Barnes C
(Kershaw P)#LADetermined | #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/6olStqGSO9— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 23, 2018
It is a little surprising to see NLCS MVP Cody Bellinger on the bench. But generally speaking, Los Angeles relies heavily on the platoon. Certainly, using it against a lefty like Sale makes sense.
Additionally, with lefties like Bellinger, Max Muncy, and Joc Pederson, the Dodgers will have a pretty strong bench. On top of that, Roberts has generally been pretty liberal with his use of the bench through the postseason. And unlike the rest of the NL playoffs, the DH means that Los Angeles won’t need to worry about having anyone in reserve to pinch hit for the pitcher.
So, while we won’t see any left-handed Dodger hitters to start the game, we’re guessing that Roberts will be rather aggressive with his use of them once Sale is out.