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Dodgers fans still would’ve been mad at Dave Roberts if Tyler Anderson finished no-hitter

Thomas Carannante|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Tyler Anderson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tips his hat to the crowd after being relieved during a game against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 4-1. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Tyler Anderson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers tips his hat to the crowd after being relieved during a game against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 15, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers won 4-1. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Baseball fans were a few pitches away from witnessing history on two separate occasions this week, with the latest near no-hitter coming from Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tyler Anderson.

After signing a one-year, $8 million contract and starting off in a bullpen role, Anderson has been a savior as injuries struck the Dodgers’ starting rotation. He’s an impeccable 8-0 with a 2.82 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 0.94 WHIP and 63 strikeouts in 12 games (10 starts), totaling 67 innings.

On Wednesday night, he took a no-hitter against the LA Angels into the ninth before allowing a triple to Shohei Ohtani after with just two outs to go. Bummer. But hey, if there’s one silver lining here, it’s that manager Dave Roberts was willing to let it happen!

How many of these has he interrupted throughout his managerial career? One happened in April when Clayton Kershaw was dominating the Twins. And that one was a perfect game! Remember years back when he pulled Ross Stripling after 7.1 no-hit innings against the Giants because of a velocity dip?

This time around, Anderson nearly gave fans another reason to yell about Roberts, even though the manager was doing the right thing. But 123 pitches later, the no-hitter was killed, Roberts came and took Anderson out of the game, and Craig Kimbrel, of course, had to give up a hit against the first batter he faced.

Just imagine the ire from fans Roberts would’ve caught had Anderson finished the no-hitter. Sure, the calls would’ve been initially celebratory, but then there would have been plenty of angry folks wondering why Roberts just didn’t potentially let history unfold on previous occasions.

Dodgers fans still would’ve been mad at Dave Roberts if Tyler Anderson finished the no-hitter

Don’t fool yourselves, either! If you’re a proud Dave Roberts hater, you might as well just say it with pride! You would’ve found a way to be upset with the skipper.

He knows his past decisions have drawn a ton of displeasure, and he was able to admit that after answering questions after Wednesday night.

The other instances did have some caveats, too. Kershaw was making his first start of the season after missing most of the second half of 2021 with an elbow/forearm injury. Stripling, back in 2016, was two years removed from Tommy John surgery. While Roberts has technically been a party pooper, there at least has been reason.

Anderson had no such issues, so Roberts let it fly. The result wasn’t what fans had hoped for, but the attempt was made in good faith.

Maybe Roberts’ candor can win him some more supporters. But it’s a tough world out there. And it’s hard to disagree that some would’ve taken even more issue with his previous yanks of Kershaw and Stripling had Anderson made history.

Instead, it’s back to your regularly scheduled complaining about the most successful manager in Dodgers history.

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