LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers and Blue Jays combined to use 19 pitchers in Monday night’s 18-inning marathon, won by the Dodgers, 6-5. Freddie Freeman’s walk-off homer cemented it as a World Series classic, but both bullpens will be feeling the effects of Monday’s contest in Game 4.
With Shohei Ohtani and Shane Bieber starting, it’s never been more important for each team’s starter to work deep into the game. Ohtani gave the Dodgers six strong innings on the mound in each of his last two starts, but Bieber lasted just 3 2/3 innings in his last outing, in the ALCS.
Ahead of a pivotal Game 4, here’s how both bullpens look after a long night:
Eric Lauer: If anyone’s down, it must be Lauer. He was spectacular in relief in Game 3, giving the Blue Jays 4 2/3 innings on 68 pitches. That’s the most Lauer had thrown in two months, predating his move from the rotation to the bullpen. Lauer said after Game 3 that everyone would want to be available for Game 4, himself included, but it’s extremely unlikely we see him.
Jeff Hoffman: Two innings on 33 pitches was a heavy workload for Hoffman. The Blue Jays’ closer is fully capable of two-inning outings, though, and after throwing 35 pitches in Game 6 of the ALCS, he came back around in Game 7 to close out the series. You won’t see another two-inning outing, but he has one in him.
Seranthony Domínguez: The right-hander threw 27 pitches in his inning … including a meatball that Ohtani launched for a home run. Domínguez’s situation is similar to Hoffman’s in that he’s surely available, but ideally won’t be pushed far.
Louis Varland: The rubber arm himself! Varland has already appeared in 14 postseason games, so he’s the safest bet in this bullpen to be rolled out again. He can’t be pushed too far, but Varland is as durable as they come and has been a favorite of manager John Schneider’s, especially in attacking high-leverage spots with the first bullpen move.
Braydon Fisher: The rookie has quietly been one of the Blue Jays’ better relievers this season, and while he’s not being used in big spots, he should still be available in a limited capacity after throwing 19 pitches in Game 3.
Brendon Little: He allowed the walk-off to Freeman and threw 29 pitches, so consider Little unlikely to be used in Game 4, but he’s available in a pinch.
Mason Fluharty: Brought in again to face Ohtani, Fluharty couldn’t get him, but needed just 14 pitches and threw several hours prior to some of Toronto’s other relievers. He’s fully available.
Chris Bassitt: The veteran is “ready for anything,” Schneider said, and has emerged as a sneaky-good option out of the bullpen. Whether it’s one inning or longer, he’s ready and willing.
Will Klein: The unlikely hero the Dodgers desperately needed in Game 3, Klein has more than earned the right to take a night off. Klein threw 72 pitches across four scoreless innings, eclipsing both his season high (45 with Triple-A Oklahoma City) and career high as a professional (56 in 2021 with High-A Quad Cities). Asked in jest how many innings he was good for in Game 4, Klein replied, “As many as they need. Hopefully zero.”
Roki Sasaki: Sasaki is not outright unavailable, but it would be surprising if manager Dave Roberts turned to his closer one night after he threw 29 pitches (and only 13 for strikes), the second most Sasaki has thrown in a game since shifting to relief. Sasaki has pitched on back-to-back days only once, another factor Roberts must consider with Wednesday’s Game 5 also on the horizon.
Emmet Sheehan: Typically a starter, Sheehan has yet to pitch in back-to-back games. He said he would like to be available for Game 4, but after covering 2 2/3 innings on 37 pitches, it is unlikely he’ll be used.
Justin Wrobleski: Wrobleski converted to relief during the regular season, so he has more experience coming out of the ‘pen than Sasaki and Sheehan. He pitched on back-to-back days once during the regular season, throwing 26 pitches on the front end. He threw 28 pitches across 1 2/3 innings in Game 3, so it’s a similar situation.
Edgardo Henriquez: Henriquez’s two innings and 30 pitches were both season highs. He is the lone career reliever in this group, though, so perhaps he and Wrobleski are the most likely of the four arms on the bubble to be used in Game 4.
Anthony Banda: Banda threw only three pitches to get the final out of the fifth inning in Game 3, so he should have no limitations. He is likely the team’s primary left-handed option in leverage.
Jack Dreyer: Dreyer had a short leash in Game 3, throwing only five pitches before being relieved by Sasaki. He hasn’t pitched much this postseason and could likely pitch more than one inning if needed.
Blake Treinen: As up and down as Treinen’s season has been, he’s essentially the Dodgers’ No. 2 righty leverage arm behind Sasaki. He was the only reliever who allowed a run in Game 3, but he threw only 15 pitches.
Clayton Kershaw: Kershaw entered in a high-stakes situation in Game 3, with the bases loaded and two outs in the 12th. He induced a groundout to escape the jam on his eighth and final pitch, possibly giving Dodger Stadium one last look at the future Hall of Famer. On the other hand, he’s one of the fresher arms in the ‘pen, so using him should be on the table.
