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Here’s why Dave Roberts was right to start Tony Gonsolin in Game 6

Adam Weinrib
Adam Weinrib

Dodgers Way

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 21: Tony Gonsolin #46 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers the pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning in Game Two of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 21, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Yes, Dave Roberts made the correct call starting Dodgers rookie Tony Gonsolin in Game 6.

Plenty of Dodgers fans are waving the white flag of surrender ahead of Game 6, spooked in large part by the Game 2 fiasco that resulted from the unfinished bridge between Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.

In fact, much of the skittishness after Game 4 (let us never speak of this again) was due to the fact that Kershaw’s pivot-point Game 5 was sure to be pressure-filled, followed by a rerun of the bullpen game, which no one expected to win.

Only this time around, with Blake Snell still on the rubber for the Rays and Tony Gonsolin headed back to the bump, things should be different — or, at least, the Dodgers are better set up for success.

Why? Because Dave Roberts finally treated Gonsolin like a starter.

Due at least in part to Gonsolin’s savior efforts when Kershaw was scratched at the last minute prior to Game 2 of the NLCS against Atlanta, his schedule has been way off-kilter in recent weeks. But just because his rest was thrown off by one emergency did not give Roberts carte blanche to treat one of his most effective starters like a reliever for no discernible reason.

Gonsolin isn’t Dustin May. He doesn’t throw 101 with tail, and there’s nothing about his stuff that “plays up” in a short stint. While he was roughed up by Atlanta in 4.2 innings pitched, he went just 2.0 innings in Game 7 of the NLCS (on full rest!), followed by 1.1 innings in Game 2, a start that could’ve been made by Walker Buehler, giving the Dodgers a better shot at swiping it and allowing them to deploy Buehler now or hold him for a Wednesday Game 7.

But this time, we’ll get Gonsolin on full rest, possibly without May behind him, who threw well for the first time all postseason in Game 5. We’re not talking about a fringe participant in the action or a borderline starter who can’t fight through a lineup the third time through the order. Gonsolin posted a 2.31 ERA in 46 innings this season, earning Baseball America Rookie of the Year honors.

And, not for nothing, but Tuesday night is Game 7 NLCS hero Julio Urias’ throw day. If Roberts goes by the 21-batter plan once again and Gonsolin has to be removed in the fifth or so, don’t be stunned if Urias backs him up for an inning or two.

Whether Gonsolin looks elite or not, there’s no denying that Dave Roberts finally managed him properly heading into Game 6. With the slimmest of World Series cushions, you have to feel more confident in the Dodgers’ Pitching Extended Universe here than you did during Game 2.

Adam Weinrib

Adam Weinrib

Adam Weinrib is a Content Director on the FanSided network, and has been the co-editor at Yanks Go Yard and Dodgers Way for 4 years. He also co-hosts The Baseball Insiders Podcast twice weekly, alongside FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray, as well as the Yanks Go Yard Podcast. Previously, he was a Senior Editor at 12up.com, and has been covering MLB and NFL for eight years. Previously, he was a headline and features contributor at ClickHole and Onion Sports, as well as the Associate Producer of the ESPN 30 for 30 film "Believeland". An avowed fan of the New York sports teams -- specifically the Yankees -- as well as the North Carolina Tar Heels, you can find Adam complaining mid-game on Twitter, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn if the game goes really poorly.