Dave Roberts’ ghastly bullpen moves turn Dodgers’ magical 111-win season into dust

After the Los Angeles Dodgers squandered a bases-loaded, no-out opportunity in the top half of the seventh inning, every pessimistic Dodger fan on earth felt their stomachs drop in unison.

Then, when Tommy Kahnle jogged out of the bullpen to handle the seventh inning against the same people he faced in Game 3, the “safe” three-run lead felt half-blown already.

After barely getting a chance to know Kahnle this season, the right-hander with the spectacular changeup somehow found himself in the crosshairs this postseason, suddenly becoming Dave Roberts’ go-to man after just 12.2 regular-season innings.

You’re not going to believe this, but Roberts’ gambit didn’t work.

The 2020 World Series-winning manager (who might have to rest on that particular laurel for a long time) learned precious little from embracing Ryan Madson out of nowhere in 2018, only to watch him gift wrap the World Series for the Boston Red Sox. This time around, Kahnle was the new and ultimately far too consequential toy, walking the leadoff man, allowing a Trent Grisham line drive single, and letting Austin Nola reach on a hotshot grounder before his time on the mound mercifully ended.

Evan Phillips was ready. Evan Phillips has been there all year long.

But Roberts, who might regret guaranteeing a World Series title before the season — might regret it — went with Yency Almonte, another late bloomer who’s been beyond brilliant in recent months.

He was not brilliant.

Almonte allowed a double to Ha-Seong Kim and a Juan Soto single to tie the game before battling back and retiring both Manny Machado and Brandon Drury.

He then threw one ball — one fateful ball — to Jake Cronenworth. At that moment, Roberts decided he’d seen enough, and signaled to the bullpen for … Phillips? No. Alex Vesia.

Why did Dave Roberts go to Tommy Kahnle, Alex Vesia mid-at-bat over Dodgers’ Evan Phillips?

Vesia battled. He snarled. He grunted. He heaved.

And he allowed the two-run single to Jake Cronenworth that ended the Dodgers’ 111-win season before the postseason ever really began.

Most wins in franchise history. A generational roster. A spectacular team.

Done in by a lottery ticket bullpen arm who couldn’t crack 15 regular-season innings as the team waited, wished and hoped he could overcome injuries and eventually contribute.

Done in by a rushed warmup for a bulldog left-hander, who entered against a dangerous batter already one ball down in the count.

Done in by a manager whose October resume hasn’t earned him the right to be so brash before the season begins.

Done in by the 89-win San Diego Padres.

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