Dodgers: 3 players who could be left off playoff roster

1. Matt Beaty

OK, it’ll probably be two pitchers knocked off the roster. Probably. You’d think.

But (Bill Simmons voice) … are we sure Matt Beaty’s making the one-game Wild Card Game roster now that Gavin Lux is getting reps in the outfield?

Think about it. Again, it’s far more likely that Los Angeles will prioritize pitching; they need to stack the roster with as many live arms as possible, in case disaster strikes. On the other side of the ball … you want to win or lose these games with your best players. Bar none. Holding onto a fifth outfielder? You can talk yourself out of it.

In a one-game scenario, Trea Turner, Justin Turner, Max Muncy and Corey Seager will start. Albert Pujols and Lux will be ready off the bench, as well as Austin Barnes. As long as Mookie Betts, AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor can stay healthy another week, that’s your trio.

The Dodgers could opt for a four-man bench, sure. But Beaty doesn’t provide much in the way of speed. He’s only made one start in September. He also — and I feel bad even typing this — doesn’t have a single pinch-hit this month. Beaty has a single plate appearance in each game listed here: Sept. 11, Sept. 12, Sept. 13 (hit by pitch), Sept. 14, Sept. 15 (somehow hit by pitch again!), Sept. 19, Sept. 21, Sept. 23, Sept. 24, Sept. 25. Not a hit in the bunch.

We’re not forcibly ejecting Beaty from the roster ourselves. We’re just left wondering if Los Angeles would carry an extra bench bat who’s not producing.

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