Dave Roberts addressed a difficult stretch for the Los Angeles Dodgers after a walk-off defeat to Arizona, acknowledging that the loss stung more given how the game slipped away late. He noted the team did not play cleanly on either side of the ball but had put itself in position to win before failing to close things out.
Much of the postgame conversation centered on Edwin Diaz's outing in the final at-bat. Roberts explained that Diaz's fastball command and life have been trending in a positive direction, but his slider continues to lack effectiveness. He pointed to a pitch that stayed up in the zone against Walsh Schmidt, which was hit for a home run, as an example of Diaz still searching for feel on that pitch since returning from the injured list.
When asked how concerning the inconsistency with that secondary pitch has been, Roberts acknowledged it has been a difficult process for Diaz, especially given that the slider functions as his primary secondary weapon in high-leverage spots. He emphasized that Diaz is working hard to correct the issue and is not shying away from the challenge, adding that the club views this as something Diaz will need to pitch through given that he is healthy and has previously found his rhythm in that role.
Asked whether the recent results might prompt him to reconsider using Diaz in save situations, Roberts said he does not see a clear-cut alternative at this time. He explained that other relievers in the bullpen have also struggled with their stuff recently, and that the coaching staff wants to keep pitchers in the roles they have earned while trying to help them build consistency, similar to stretches earlier in the season.
Roberts also touched on other aspects of the game, including Tanner Scott working out of a jam despite diminished velocity, and praised Roki Sasaki for battling through six innings even without his best version of his signature pitch. He additionally discussed the offense's struggles to generate hits early in the series and a stolen-base attempt involving Tommy Edman, which he characterized as a calculated risk that narrowly did not pay off.