Remember how Yoshinobu Yamamoto, one of the Dodgers’ top starters, completely fell apart in Game 3 of the NLDS? If you’ve checked the game, you know how Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber has really exposed the shaky Dodgers’ pitching. So, even though L.A. still managed to win the series, it’s clear they’re far from a complete team right now. And Yamamoto’s struggles pretty much sum up what’s going on with the whole rotation and bullpen, which has been at its absolute worst.

And then their bullpen, which is at its very worst. Reportedly, the Dodgers’ bullpen has given up 13 earned runs in just about 20 innings this postseason. So, while their battle-tested lineup carried them into the NLCS, pitching remains a huge concern. And now, according to recent reports, manager Dave Roberts might be shaking things up with a different-looking roster for the next series in an attempt to fix those issues, albeit with a few compromises!

“Dave Roberts suggests the Dodgers’ roster for the NLCS is going to look a little bit different. Among the likely changes is adding one more pitcher to replace a position player.” Dodger Blue reported the probable roster changes.

Yes, you heard that right… The pitching struggles are actually forcing the Dodgers to enter the NLCS Game 1 with one position player less. However, Roberts is helpless considering how his pitching lineup is performing.

Well, it feels like the entire Dodgers pitching staff picked the worst possible time to hit a slump, and that right in the postseason. Take Clayton Kershaw, for example, who gave up five runs in the eighth inning of Game 3 of the NLDS. Then in Game 2, Blake Treinen surrendered two runs on three straight hits in the ninth.

So now the big question is: who can Roberts really trust out of the bullpen? Tanner Scott, who posted a 6.92 ERA in the second half? Treinen, who struggled with a 9.64 ERA in September? Or maybe Emmet Sheehan, the starter-turned-reliever who’s never pitched in the postseason before? Even some of the more reliable arms, like Alex Vesia, have had rough patches lately.

Hence, heading into the NLCS, the Dodgers might not have much of a choice but to add another arm to the roster. Even if that means sacrificing a position player to do it.

A tough time ahead for the Dodgers

The NLCS is looking more challenging than anything for the Dodgers. However, amid all the chaos regarding their pitching, the two bright spots are Roki Sasaki and Tyler Glasnow.

Reportedly, in Game 4 against the Phillies, Glasnow looked like a man on a mission. His fastball averaged 96.7 mph, a full tick above his season norm, and topped out at 99.1. He went six strong innings, didn’t allow a run, and struck out eight. On the same night, Sasaki showed exactly why the Dodgers were so excited to get him. Sitting at 99.5 mph and flashing that devastating splitter, Sasaki looked every bit like his dominant self, carrying L.A. into extra innings.

So, it is believable that with Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Yamamoto anchoring the rotation, and Sasaki stepping up, the starting core looks solid.

And if you are unaware, we have previous examples where the team placed four reliable starters and two trustworthy relievers in the postseason. For example, in their 2019 winning campaign, the Nationals placed starters out of the bullpen to knock off a 106-win Dodgers team. So this year, the Dodgers might not be any different.

However, time will tell if the same strategy as the Nationals in 2019 would click with the Dodgers this time.