Dave Roberts said on October 7, 2026, that he could continue batting Freddie Freeman first and Shohei Ohtani fourth or fifth for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Roberts said the plan could feature Freeman as the first hitter in the lineup, with Ohtani behind him in either the fourth or fifth spot. He added that Ohtani’s misses, pitch selection and intent to stay on the ball had improved, saying, “the misses are better.”
Roberts stated that Mickey had a sore back and would not be available, explaining, “Not great. Um, back sore. Um, laying low, won't be available today.” He also described Tommy Edman as a player who can provide contact against either side and play center field or essentially anywhere on the diamond, saying, “I can play him anywhere on the diamond essentially.”
Roberts said Edwin Diaz had earned trust through improved fastball and slider command over his last four or five outings. He said he trusts Diaz, Tanner Scott and Evan Phillips, but added, “I don't want to be beholden to one thing yet,” indicating that the reliever best suited to the game situation could be used. Roberts also said Diaz must be a relevant part of the Dodgers’ effort to win the World Series.
Roberts praised Tyler Glasnow’s fastball, increased changeup usage and performance over the period he described as the last couple of months, saying Glasnow “he's been one of the better pitchers in all of baseball.” Roberts said the Dodgers would need to grind through Glasnow’s outing, while also mentioning Kik Hernandez, Andy Pages, Will Smith, Alex Vesia and Shota Imanaga in the team’s personnel discussion.
The Dodgers’ stated plans are to continue evaluating the Freeman-Ohtani lineup arrangement, keep Mickey unavailable because of his sore back, deploy Tommy Edman across the defensive alignment and use the bullpen according to each game situation.