3 Dodgers who should’ve been trusted more in 2022 NLDS loss vs Padres

After a franchise-record, 111 wins in the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers ultimately fell flat in the NLDS to the rival San Diego Padres. Being handed the gentleman’s sweep after winning Game 1 is inexcusable, making this the most disappointing season in franchise history.

It easily could have been avoided as well. Dave Roberts certainly did not manage his best baseball and the “high-powered” offense forgot to hit with runners in scoring position. It does not matter how talented a team is. If the players not managed well and/or can’t come up with big hits, they’re not going to win anything.

The Dodgers didn’t get it done, plain and simple. What makes it more painful, though, is that the team had more options that it didn’t even try to utilize. Perhaps with a little bit more trust in other key players, things could have been different.

This isn’t a Captain Hindsight situation, either. Fans were wondering what was going on with these guys, especially as the Dodgers entered Game 4.

Here are three Dodgers who should’ve been trusted more in 2022 NLDS

3. Tyler Anderson

The seventh inning of Game 4 unraveled at the seams for Roberts. He was trying to steal outs with Tommy Kahnle to bridge the gap to the eighth and ninth. The sad part is that it could’ve been much more manageable if the Dodgers’ skipper just had more faith in his starter.

Tyler Anderson has been fantastic against the Padres all season, allowing just five runs in five starts against them. After five scoreless innings, despite only being at 86 pitches, Roberts yanked Anderson in favor of Chris Martin.

Martin was also great for the Dodgers, but it would’ve been nice to use him one inning later to extend the game. Yes, Anderson was facing the heart of San Diego’s lineup for a third time, but he had plenty of success against that part of the lineup. He had the favorable lefty-lefty matchup against Juan Soto and has great numbers against Manny Machado.

At least let him go out there to face the lefty and give him a chance to potentially work a clean sixth. Soto and Machado have a combined .167 batting average against him. Sure, Brandon Drury is a matchup problem, but at that point, there would either be two outs or Martin would be in the game anyway.

Then Martin can pitch the seventh, keeping Kahnle out of this game entirely.