It’s safe to say that Game 4 did not go the way the Dodgers faithful would have hoped. Shohei Ohtani, who dominated Game 3 as a hitter and pitcher, started in Game 4 and lasted six innings before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. crushed a 2-run homer in the third. The Jays’ elite 4-run seventh cut the Dodgers’ wings. The Dodgers eventually lost the matchup 2-6, though it wasn’t just the loss that frustrated the Dodgers fans. It was Dave Roberts’ statement after the game that set off alarm bells.

The Dodgers manager said, “We haven’t found our rhythm. We haven’t… It sort of draws dead at certain parts of the lineup and different parts, different innings, different games. You know, guys are competing — certainly in the postseason you’re seeing everyone’s best.” Roberts’ statement was shared by FOX Sports MLB on Twitter, and it left the Dodgers fans questioning the manager’s strategy.

Further highlighting his dilemma, the manager highlighted that Miguel Rojas could go to second base, which would allow Tommy Edman to move to center. He also said that Alex Call could manage the outfield. Such strategic adjustments highlight how uncertain the team’s rhythm truly is. Dave Roberts’ honesty pointed out a manager looking for an answer.

After his statement, fans wasted no time and took to social media to criticize Dabe Roberts’ approaches.

Fans go off on Roberts’ lineup and bullpen decisions

“What??? Dave is responsible for today’s loss!! Why keep choosing Treinen??? Poor Ohtani…” one enraged supporter wrote, echoing the point of view of thousands of the other fans online. The anger came after Blake Treinen entered in the 7th inning and surrendered back-to-back RBI singles to Bo Bichette and Addison Barger. What had been a secure, one-run contest changed into a 6-2 Blue Jays lead. For many, that moment and Robert’s decision to utilize Treinen again were the breaking point.

Another fan aimed directly at Roberts’ mixed messaging, stating, “Tf you mean you haven’t found your rhythm but you’re seeing everyone’s best?” The discrepancy in the Roberts’ words provoked the reaction. While Roberts asserted that the team was “competing” hard, his admission of lacking rhythm painted a picture of a unit struggling to click, a reality fans could no longer ignore after 4 uneven games.

“Blake Treinen has allowed six hits to the nine batters he’s faced in the World Series. Stop. Putting. Him. In. The. Game,” another annoyed fan posted. The figures back up that anger: Treinen has struggled mightily this postseason, failing to strand runners to score in key moments. The once-trusted reliever’s inconsistency has rotated bullpen management into one of the biggest Dodgers’ headaches, something fans were increasingly vocal about. 

One specific supporter underlined the irony of the manager’s statement, given the franchise’s star-studded roster: “You have an all-star team and you haven’t found your rhythm? That’s on you, Roberts!” with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts all were wearing Dodgers uniform, the narrative that this franchise can not “find rhythm” feels like a vague statement for the fanbase. Many saw it as a managerial failure, not a player issue, with Roberts’s decisions under more scrutiny than ever.

One fan totally shifted the sword towards the struggling rookie: “Get Pages out of the lineup.” Andy Pages, once perceived as a breakout candidate, is now doing terribly, batting 4-for-43 (.093) this postseason with only a single hit in the World Series. Even the manager acknowledged that the young outfielder required “more consistency”  to hold his position. For supporters, their patience is running out, and now fans want to come up with a new strategy for the lineup before it is too late.

Regardless of anger, one thing is obvious: the fanbase of the Dodgers is not just venting; they are demanding accountability. As Game 5 looms, Los Angeles must recapture its spark, which helped them carry through the regular season.