ATLANTA -- Yasiel Puig didn't start Sunday's Game 3 of the Dodgers' National League Division Series against Atlanta, but that wasn't shocking. The reason may be a bit surprising. His Game 2 baserunning, according to his skipper, had nothing to do with it.
Puig was thrown out on a questionable delayed steal with Cody Bellinger at the plate Friday night. Manager Dave Roberts was none too pleased with Puig, who was running on his own. Two days later, however, Roberts appeared ready to quash the incident.
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"It's over, it's over," Roberts said. "He's not in the lineup not because of what happened. He's going to be ready to help us off the bench in some way to win a game today.
"It was a mistake that he made. It probably won't be his last on the bases, but we talked about it, and we've moved on."
Matt Kemp started in Puig's place in right field, and he batted fifth. Facing left-hander Sean Newcomb, the Dodgers flipped a third of their lineup, with righty hitters Kemp, Chris Taylor and David Freese starting in place of Player Page for Max Muncy, Joc Pederson and Puig.
The lone left-handed hitter in the lineup was Bellinger -- an attempt by Roberts to combat what could be a short start from Newcomb, then a flip to one of the Braves' right-handed starting options.
"We wanted to keep Cody in there, so if they do pivot and go to their bullpen, it gives us a good way to counter anything that they do," Roberts said. "There's one side -- you want to beat the starter. But you also want to combat potential matchups [later in the game]."
Puig, of course, is a right-handed hitter, but he owns some pretty noteworthy reverse splits. He's been much better against right-handed pitching.
Reading between the lines, it certainly seems as though Roberts is trying to save Puig to use him as a pinch-hitter against Julio Teheran, if Teheran were to appear. Puig has faced Teheran 17 times in his career. He has a homer, two doubles, five singles and three walks, and he's made just six outs -- none of them strikeouts.
Hill will start if necessary
Without implying any negative vibes, Roberts confirmed that Rich Hill would start Game 4, if there is one. Hill would be coming off seven scoreless innings on two hits against the Giants on Sept. 30.
Also, Game 1 starter Hyun-Jin Ryu and Game 2 starter Clayton Kershaw worked out Sunday as if preparing to start a Game 5 on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Kershaw threw a normal bullpen session and Ryu threw firmly on flat ground.
Sunday sim game
Without getting too far ahead of themselves, the Dodgers held a simulated game early on Sunday to keep certain players sharp should they advance to the next round.
Specifically, Thomas Stripling, Julio Urias and Josh Fields pitched, and batting were Chase Utley, Austin Barnes and James Farmer.
Roberts said all were in play for a possible NL Championship Series and stressed the improvement of Stripling, who went from All-Star starter to left off the NLDS roster because of a September fade. Roberts declined to say why Stripling was so impressive.