The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped their National League Championship Series roster on us, and the biggest headline has to be the move to carry 13 pitchers against the Milwaukee Brewers, with rookie Justin Wrobleski taking that extra bulk arm spot. This squad, featuring 13 pitchers and 13 position players, is clearly built for a grind, signaling that manager Dave Roberts isn’t taking any chances as they kick off the NLCS.
Wrobleski’s Arm, Roberts’ Plan
This Wrobleski move? It’s all about playing smart and deep, especially after they ran with 12 pitchers in the Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. Roberts himself laid it out during Saturday’s workout at American Family Field, saying, “I think that length, having a guy that can go two or three, is something where you essentially protect downside on the pitching.” He added that it’s more about “who can take down a couple innings if something in a medium to lower leverage situation.” That’s classic playoff chess. Wrobleski was an All-Star starting pitcher this season, but the Dodgers prepped him for October by throwing him in shorter, bulk outings during September. He’s been groomed for this exact role, and it’s clear Roberts trusts him to deliver when it counts.
Roster Shuffle: Who’s In, Who’s Out
Of course, every roster move means someone’s sitting out. This time, it’s Hyeseong Kim who isn’t active for the NLCS. Kim played just one game in the NLDS, pinch-running in Game 4 and playing the final two innings at second base. Tough break for him, but that’s the nature of playoff baseball. On the injury front, there’s some good news for Miguel Rojas. He had to leave Game 3 of the NLDS in Atlanta with back and hip soreness, but after several days of treatment, he’s active and ready to go against the Brewers. Good to see him back on the field, especially with rookie Josue DePaula also getting reps at shortstop during infield drills. This team is staying nimble!
The Full NLCS Squad
So, who exactly is Roberts rolling out for this NLCS battle? The starting rotation is stacked with Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow. In the bullpen, look for right-handers Roki Sasaki, Edgardo Henriquez, Edwin Díaz, Evan Phillips, and Brock Stewart. The lefties rounding out the relief corps are Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Kris Bubic, and, of course, the newly added Justin Wrobleski. Shohei Ohtani holds down the designated hitter spot, with Will Smith and Hunter Feduccia behind the plate. The infield features the heavy hitters in Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and the returning Miguel Rojas. Outfield duties go to Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker, and Josue De Paula. Rounding out the versatile guys are Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández, who can play both infield and outfield.
This team is locked and loaded for the NLCS. With Game 1 having kicked off Saturday, the Brewers better be ready for this deep pitching staff and a lineup that can hurt you everywhere. This isn’t just a series, it’s a fight for the World Series, and the Dodgers are clearly bringing everything they’ve got.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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