"The Dodgers surprised many when they got creative for their 2025 NLWCS roster, jettisoning some who many assumed were locks, and the performance of those that did make the roster in that series - both good and bad - makes the selection for the upcoming 2025 NLDS somewhat interesting due to the possibilities being endless. Arguably a more entertaining point of discussion is how to align the rotation."
"Three catchers seems superfluous, and obviously a lot of this depends on how confident they now feel about the health of Smith to actually play the position, but if they have any doubts then Rushing is probably the choice over a specialist given his solid finish to the season and a potential pinch-hitting role. The insurance aspect of this makes him the choice over adding somebody like Michael Conforto back."
"Justin Dean and Hyeseong Kim would then be the cuts here, as they were mostly around as defensive replacements or pinch-runners, and I also don't think they'll keep a specialist over another pen arm in a longer series. Anything is possible, but this seems like the most logical alignment with Kim over Rushing the most likely alteration if they're convinced Will can catch."
"It's really a shame how television has dictated awkward off-days in a short series like this, further devaluing the advantage of getting a top seed and bye. But hey, now that the Dodgers aren't in that situation, hopefully they can take advantage of the fact that having to play in the NLWCS arguably leaves them at no disadvantage in terms of aligning the rotation."
The Dodgers made unexpected roster moves entering the 2025 postseason that influence NLDS roster construction and rotation alignment. Projected NLDS roster includes three catchers, four infielders, three outfielders, two utility players, and a designated 'unicorn' Shohei Ohtani. Catcher decisions hinge on Will Smith's health, with Rushing favored for insurance and pinch-hitting over a specialist or re-adding Michael Conforto. Justin Dean and Hyeseong Kim are the likeliest cuts in favor of additional bullpen depth. Television-driven off-days reduce the top-seed advantage. The rotation plan projects Ohtani to start Game 1, Tyler Glasnow as a relief option, Blake in Game 2, and Yoshinobu in Game 3.
Read at Dodgers Digest
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]