LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is aware of the criticism that has followed him throughout his career. It comes with being a Major League manager, especially when it’s the responsibility of leading the Dodgers.

Over the years, the relationship of some fans toward Roberts has been interesting. When the team is eliminated early in the postseason, the blame naturally falls on the manager. Roberts will always get the blame for some of the bullpen decisions in Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Nationals in 2019.

Roberts, admittedly, let that affect him in the past. But now, the Dodgers’ skipper said he has learned how to tune some of that noise out more effectively. A big reason for that is because of the conviction behind his decisions. And in Los Angeles’ series win over the Padres in this year’s NLDS, it seemed like Roberts was at his best.

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“I thought he was surgical in Game 4 and Game 5,” said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. “I thought he had the right feel and pulse for when to make a move, who to go to, and even with that, [Alex Vesia] had the soreness in the oblique and he didn’t miss a beat.”

Of course, all the credit goes to the players. They’re the ones who perform on the field. But in a series with small margins, everything comes into play.

As Roberts managed a bullpen game in Game 4, his every decision worked to perfection. In Game 5, Roberts let Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitch longer than anyone expected because of what he was seeing from him on the mound. In years past, maybe he goes to the bullpen a little earlier. There was no overthinking this time.

After Yamamoto’s five innings, Roberts turned to the team’s bullpen, which has been its strength so far this postseason. One by one, the relievers delivered. One by one, Roberts looked to have full control of the situation.

“Hats off to our guys and the way they threw the ball the rest of that series,” said Dodgers pitcher Jack Flaherty. “But you’ve got to give [Roberts] a lot of credit as well the way guys were brought in and put into situations to succeed and just be put in those right situations. He has confidence in everybody he runs out there -- lineups, too.”

Roberts said the biggest thing he’s learned throughout his postseason career is how to not let the game get too fast in big situations.

“Every game is obviously of the highest importance,” Roberts said. “The roles are different just trying to figure out what you can ask of a player, whether it’s multiples, stress, leverage. It’s different in a regular season versus the postseason.

“I remember obviously in my first year, I remember bringing Clayton Kershaw in a game in relief. He was sort of ailing and feeling good but not feeling good. So that was nerve-racking for me. I remember walking the bases loaded to get to [Miguel Montero], who hadn't taken an at-bat in eight days, [and he] hits an 0-2 slider for a homer and we got beat.”

Over his career, Roberts has had no issues in the regular season. He has a .627 winning percentage, tops all-time among managers with at least 100 games managed. A lot of that is because of the talent on the roster, but he also deserves some credit for the success. Now, Roberts feels he’s finally in a good place in the postseason, making him the perfect man for the job.