Dodgers Nation · Sep 16, 2025
Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Questioned By MLB Analyst for Decision That Backfired vs Phillies
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to deploy an opener for Monday’s series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Rather than have right-hander Emmet Sheehan take the mound in the first inning, it was left-hander Anthony Banda who got the start.
The Phillies had two left-handers — Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper — batting second and third in the lineup, respectively. Thus, Roberts wanted to play the matchups and potentially get a quick 1-2-3 inning to open the game, before passing the ball to Sheehan in the second.
Read more: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Reveals Rationale Behind Anthony Banda Starting vs Phillies