Dave Roberts said on September 8, 2026, that Shohei Ohtani was available in the game but would play on September 9.
Roberts said Ohtani would have hit in a tied or losing situation but did not enter the game. He also stated that Will Smith would rest on September 9 and the off day before playing two of three games in Miami. Roberts manages the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Will Smith plays for the club.
Roberts credited Will Smith's home run to a seven- or eight-pitch at-bat that ended with a hanging breaking ball. He evaluated Smith as consistent and dependable, adding that better swing decisions, a reduced chase rate and mechanical adjustments had improved the hitter's performance.
Roberts said the pitcher reached the eighth inning after throwing 97-98 mph and maintaining that velocity throughout the game. He also noted that a reliever had improved over the previous six weeks through better strike throwing, strike quality and breaking-ball effectiveness. Roberts evaluated Enrique Hernandez as a different person from six weeks earlier.
Roberts explained that a middle-of-the-order hitter can carry the Los Angeles Dodgers for a stretch when other players are struggling. He said the division magic number was seven and stated, "I want to win tomorrow. I wanted to be down to six." Roberts also mentioned watching a player throw at 105 miles per hour as a fan, saying, "I put my fan cap on for that one for tonight." The next scheduled lineup decision is for Ohtani to play on September 9, with Smith resting before the Miami games.