Roberts reveals Ohtani's status and the extreme measures considered in an 18-inning World Series epic, showcasing unmatched resilience.
A night removed from one of the longest and most dramatic games in World Series history, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sat down with the media ahead of Game 4 at Dodger Stadium, visibly composed but aware of the physical and mental toll the previous contest took on his club.
“Yeah, you know, I think Shohei feels good today,” Roberts said, referring to Shohei Ohtani, who dealt with cramping during the marathon Game 3. “We’re just going to read and react—no expectations. Just kind of see how he feels, how he looks, and then go from there.”
The Dodgers and Blue Jays both emptied their bullpens in the 18-inning thriller, forcing Roberts to manage through uncharted territory. When asked how close he came to using a position player to pitch, Roberts revealed just how tight things got. “If Yamamoto couldn’t have taken the ball in the 19th, it was probably going to be Miguel Rojas,” he said. “It was either Yamamoto or Miguel Rojas in a World Series game.”
Despite the fatigue, Roberts praised his team’s composure and grit, particularly reliever Will Klein, who delivered a gutsy multi-inning performance. “He’s a great young man,” Roberts said. “You don’t really know until you throw somebody in the fire and see how they respond. Our coaches did a fantastic job of cleaning up his delivery, challenging him to be in the zone—and he showed what he’s made of last night.”
Will Smith, who caught all 18 innings, was another focal point of the discussion. Roberts said he texted the catcher the next morning to check on his condition. “He said he felt great, which I would expect,” Roberts said with a grin. “I was trying to hold him as long as I could. If we had a situation where I needed to run for him, I had a couple of guys ready, but I wanted to keep him in there. Yesterday’s 18 innings was incredible.”
Roberts also brushed off concerns about Smith’s hand injury, noting that it hasn’t been an issue for weeks. Still, he admitted that he’ll be keeping an eye on Smith’s stamina more than anything else.
As for bullpen management in Game 4, Roberts said his focus remains on the present. “If we have a chance to win tonight, we’re going to put the best guys capable to do that,” he said. “You can’t plan for 18 innings. You’ve got to plan for what’s certain.”
When asked about the possibility of adopting the “ghost runner” rule for postseason extra innings, Roberts didn’t hesitate. “No,” he said flatly. “I think that’s baseball in its truest form. Part of winning a seven-game series is having to go through the battle of attrition with pitching.”
The conversation turned philosophical when Roberts was asked how to describe Ohtani’s dual workload on the world’s biggest stage. “You’re talking about two people in one,” Roberts said. “Crazy expectations—probably unattainable for one person. I just don’t think there’s a comparable. He’s a different kind of athlete.”
As the Dodgers prepare for another pivotal World Series game, Roberts emphasized belief and adaptability—two qualities that have carried Los Angeles through countless high-pressure moments.
“You’ve got to just believe in your players,” Roberts said. “You don’t know what you don’t until you know. Henriquez, Wrobleski, Will Klein, Will Smith—there’s just a lot of things you learn about guys when they’re in the fire. And it was really good to see that last night.”
Game 4 is scheduled for tonight at Dodger Stadium, where Ohtani is taking the mound with the 2-1 series lead—and the Dodgers, once again, prepared to fight.