With the Los Angeles Dodgers wrapping up the 2020 season on Sunday, the club soon will need to finalize roster decisions for the best-of-three Wild Card Series that begins Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts has already indicated the Dodgers will carry 12 or 13 pitchers in the first round.
He did not rule out including a third catcher on the active playoff roster, that Roberts noted that would be more likely in a five- and seven-game series. As for those who may be on the bubble, Edwin Rios has already received a public vote of support from Roberts and continued to produce since.
However, the same can not be said for Gavin Lux. His 2020 season has fallen well short of expectations, and it now appears probable — if not likely — that Lux will be left off the postseason roster.
“With Gavin, I don’t see him making starts at second base in the postseason,” Roberts said. “The question now is having him on our roster, on our bench, coming in to play defense, pinch-run, take an at-bat, get the experience, I think is the question. Right now, where we’re at, I think we have different options.”
Lux helped provide the Dodgers with some stability at second base down the stretch last year and he was active for the National League Division Series; he appeared in four games against the Washington Nationals, making three starts.
Earlier this month, Roberts acknowledged there was a ‘scenario’ with which Lux would be with the team for the postseason. However, limited playing opportunities since that point don’t figure to bode well.
Joctober?
Similar to Lux, Joc Pederson hasn’t been able to generate much consistency this season. Pederson recently was away from the team on two separate occasions — first spending three days on the paternity list, then for another brief stretch while on family emergency leave.
Pederson appeared in five of the final six games, with two of those being starts. Roberts admitted to giving his 27-year-old outfielder every opportunity to find a groove ahead of October.
“I think Joc has earned that, because of his performance in the postseason. Like with Gavin and everyone, it’s been a unique year,” Roberts said.
“Joc’s had some things he’s kind of dealt with off the field that certainly occupy his mind at times, and rightfully so. I just want to give him every opportunity to try to get locked in. After [Sunday], then we’ll sort of make a decision. At the end of the day we’ve got to go with the guys that feel give us the best chance to win.”
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