Roberts: Jansen might see eighth-inning duty
This browser does not support the video element.
WASHINGTON -- Kenley Jansen is still the Dodgers’ closer, depending on your definition of closer.
Before Game 2 of the National League Division Series, manager Dave Roberts said he planned to use Jansen in either the eighth or ninth inning. He ended up not using him at all in a 4-2 loss Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
| Game | Date | Result | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gm 1 | Oct. 3 | LAD 6, WSH 0 | Watch |
| Gm 2 | Oct. 4 | WSH 4, LAD 2 | Watch |
| Gm 3 | Oct. 6 | LAD 10, WSH 4 | Watch |
| Gm 4 | Oct. 7 | WSH 6, LAD 1 | Watch |
| Gm 5 | Oct. 9 | WSH 7, LAD 3 | Watch |
Shop for postseason gear: “It’s about getting outs,” Roberts said. “He understands that and appreciates that. Don’t read too much into it. I’m just saying he’s in such a good place. I’m telling you this is as good a place as he’s been in in two years. I’m telling you.
“This is the best mind frame he’s been in. So that speaks to his openness to pitch whenever there are important outs to be had. He understands that. That’s very telling. There’s no demotion, and I don’t know how it’s going to play out. He’s our closer. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t important outs in the eighth inning that we need him to get. When there’s six outs on the board, those three outs are important.”
In the first two games, Roberts utilized left-handed specialist Adam Kolarek to retire left-handed hitter Juan Soto. The Dodgers believe that the postseason will bring out the best in Joe Kelly, last year’s World Series hero who barely pitched in September for undisclosed physical reasons. Kelly is the most likely candidate to finish off games instead of Jansen.
Roberts said he has had an evolving dialogue with Jansen, encouraging him to shut out distracting noise and challenging him to just pitch.
“He’s simplified it -- as in, ‘When I get the call, I pitch,’” Roberts said. “It doesn’t matter what the situation is, it doesn’t matter who’s hitting, what people outside are saying. That’s the best place anybody can be.”