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Scott’s Dodgers Role Unchanged After Shaky NLDS Game 1 Outing
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- Scott’s Dodgers Role Unchanged After Shaky NLDS Game 1 Outing
(© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
Tanner Scott's role appeared unlikely to change after Game 1 of the National League Division Series, even after the Los Angeles Dodgers ' regular season saves leader surrendered a two-run home run in the ninth inning.
Manager Dave Roberts immediately expressed confidence in Scott after the Dodgers' 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves . Evan Phillips recorded the final out and earned the first postseason save of his career.
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Details matter
Several details provide important context. The ninth inning did not begin as a save situation. Scott entered to protect a four-run lead against the top of Atlanta's lineup: Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson.
A pitcher cannot earn a one-inning save when protecting a lead greater than three runs.
Albies' home run reduced Los Angeles' advantage from 5-1 to 5-3, but it did not cause Roberts to remove Scott.
After the left-hander retired Michael Harris II on a ground ball for the second out, shortstop Mauricio Dubon came to the plate. Roberts already intended to use Phillips against Dubon before the inning reached that point.
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Scott also did not enter solely because the game had reached the ninth. Roberts chose him because of the hitters scheduled to face him.
"I had Evan going for Dubon at the outset," Roberts said according to SportsNet LA .
Atlanta's lineup was moving toward several left-handed hitters, and Roberts liked the matchup sequence for Scott with Los Angeles holding a four-run lead.
The manager indicated that he likely would have used Scott during the eighth inning if the same portion of the lineup had appeared then.
The decision depended on the game score and the specific lane of hitters rather than a predetermined inning.
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"With the lead we had, knowing [Atlanta's lineup] was going to bleed into some lefties, I felt good about that run [of hitters for Scott]," Roberts explained.
"If it was the eighth inning I probably would've used him there, so it was more about the lane and the game score."
Roberts did not criticize Scott's performance.
Scott moved ahead of Acuña 0-and-2 before the former National League MVP took three consecutive pitches outside the strike zone. The first was initially called a strike, but Acuña challenged the decision and had it overturned.
Scott then surrendered a leadoff single to the outfield. Albies attacked Scott's next pitch, a fastball, and drove it 432 feet for a home run.
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Roberts credited Acuña for producing a strong at-bat and Albies for hitting the first-pitch fastball. He made clear that those results would not change his trust in Scott.
"We had Acuña, then he puts together a good at-bat," Roberts noted.
"Albies hit a good first-pitch [fastball] for a homer. I'm not going to waver on that."
The left-hander posted a 2.69 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 63.2 innings over 69 regular season appearances and recorded 25 saves in 29 opportunities and 13 holds.
Scott is one of three left-handed relievers on the Dodgers' National League Division Series roster, joining Alex Vesia and Kris Bubic.
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Scott's value
Scott provides his composure, confidence and willingness to challenge dangerous hitters. A late-inning reliever cannot allow one home run to alter his mentality or prevent him from attacking the next opponent.
His ability to handle different portions of a lineup also gives Roberts flexibility. Scott does not need to be restricted to the ninth inning because his value depends on matchups and game circumstances.
The Dodgers trust him because he can accept pressure without requiring a perfectly defined role.
One difficult sequence against Acuña and Albies did not erase the consistency Scott provided throughout the season.
Roberts' confidence reflects the importance of that larger body of work.
