May 22nd, 2018 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Chances are exceptionally good that anyone who watched Monday night’s game between the (now) National League West first place Colorado Rockies and the (still) National League West fourth place Los Angeles Dodgers is of the understanding that the game was lost on the final play of the game in the bottom of the ninth when veteran Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp made a rookie mistake by making a move towards second base after reaching first base on an infield single to Rockies shortstop Trevor Story. Kemp would be tagged out by Rockies catcher Tony Wolters to end the game.
But the painful truth is that the game was actually lost – or at the very least tied – in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts elected not to have pitcher Walker Buehler, perhaps the best bunter on his team, lay down a safety (or suicide) squeeze bunt with one out and runners on second and third.
Why would the 2016 National League Manager of the Year not do what Rockies manager Bud Black, every Rockies player, the 42,805 on hand at Dodger Stadium, and the millions watching on television or listening on radio what was clearly the right thing to do in this situation, you ask?
Who knows.
Buehler takes a called strike three to end the Dodgers best scoring opportunity of the night.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Here’s how Roberts tried to explain (justify) his decision:
“You had second and third, knew they we’re going to play infield in, and you just don’t know if that’s a guarantee to get them in right there, and kind of weighing right there that he can go,” Roberts said, after the game. “I just felt that was the best way for us to win the game and I thought we put ourselves in that situation, we just didn’t get the hits to score more than they did.”
Instead of having Buehler, perhaps the best bunter on his team, even attempt to bunt, Roberts had him swing away, in hopes that he would at least make contact to allow the speedy Chris Taylor, who was 90 feet away on third base, to break for home on contact and score what should have been the game-tying run and moving the potential go-ahead run in Dodgers veteran second baseman Chase Utley to third base with two outs.
The problem is Buehler did not swing away and looked at a called third strike for the second out of the inning which, in turn, was followed by a Joc Pederson fly out to Rockies left fielder (and perennial Dodgers nemesis) Gerardo Parra to end the inning, the threat, and what would prove to be the last scoring opportunity that the Dodgers would have on the night.
Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy continues to swing a hot bat and accounted for the Dodgers only run on Monday night with his fourth inning solo home run, his fifth of the season.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
Don’t get me wrong, Dave Roberts is usually a very intelligent manager … usually. But in the simplest of terms, his decision to not have Buehler even attempt to bunt is the difference in the Dodgers being 7.0 games behind the first place Rockies instead of possibly being within 5.0 games of them.
This one’s on you, Doc.
Posted in 
That thought flashed through my mind (Buehler bunting) and hoping for a WP as I usually do with a runner on 3B. It just seems like they’re not playing as well at home as they are on the road. I’m hoping this situation comes to an end as soon as possible.
Excellent point that is not lost on any baseball fan watching the game. A decent (not great) bunt would have scored Taylor. But the use of Baez in the 8th inning was just as perplexing to me considering his track record this season when used in late innings. Utley also gets my criticism for making such a poor throw which allowed what proved to be the winning run to score. AND using a gold glove quality first baseman in CF with a utility player at first base???? No doubt in my mind that Bellinger makes the play on Utley’s short-hop throw.
By the way, what is the role of bench coach (Geren) in situations like this? Seems to me that Roberts remains in OJT and one purpose of having a seasoned coach next to Roberts is to offer advice.
The bunt was the right call and so what if everyone in the stadium knew it was coming, get the bunt down and see what happens.
My thoughts on Baez
I know Baez is trying as hard as he can but last night Roberts was in a position to see what Baez really could or couldn’t do. Baez gets the first out in the top of the eighth then walks Wolters, Wolters then steals second and moves to third on Grandal’s throwing error Baez has the go-ahead run on third base with one, time for Baez to give up an HR or at least a double and be taken out of the game and charged with another failure. But Baez then strikes out Valaika for the second out and we arrive at the moment of truth, can Baez get the third out and maybe get some much-needed confidence or will he be the Baez we all know?. I think Roberts should have let him face one more batter and find out once and for all. By taking Baez out all he did was sink Baez and his confidence even more.
I think Roberts let that may be very important situation slip away.
Again, game management is not a strong part of Roberts managing skills.
I think there is plenty of data that supports Baez only pitching before the 5th inning, other than in an emergency. Splits innings 1 through 4 are top notch; 5 and beyond is a disaster.
Baez should already come in when we are already down as a mop up