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Dodgers analysts calling out organization for in-game adjustments is wild stuff

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers talks on the field with President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, before game five of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers talks on the field with President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, before game five of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The networks owned by the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are rebelling. They’re straight up sick of watching the teams they cover fall embarrassingly short in the postseason and have it (partially) be a reflection on them. Can’t blame ’em, either!

Earlier this year, the SNLA team, specifically Jerry Hairston Jr., was incensed about Cody Bellinger’s struggles because there was belief the answer was right in front of the Dodgers.

Fellow analyst David Vassegh has not shied away from putting Mookie Betts on blast multiple times — once for complimenting Jacob deGrom and once for bowling.

Ridiculous or not, these guys have a lot to say because of their love for/connection with the Dodgers. It was only a matter of time before the two teamed up for a scalding take that would leave everyone’s jaw on the floor.

It’s one thing to take shots at players. It’s one thing to hold the guys on the field accountable for lackluster production or the manager for a poor decision.

It’s an entirely different thing to claim the organization operates on a script and doesn’t make in-game or in-series adjustments. Wow.

Dodgers analysts put team on blast for poor postseason decision making

And that was the last time we saw Hairston Jr. and Vassegh pictured together. Just kidding. But might wanna frame this one because … you never know.

This feels true … however, it’s just jarring to see the opinion/reporting coming from the television station owned by the Dodgers. On the SNLA show, here’s part of what Vassegh said on the topic:

"“At Dodger Stadium in the month of September, you see the press box crowded with scouts from all these teams that you’re going to see in the postseason. They know these players’ tendencies inside and out because they’re following them every single day. And the one thing that a lot of them noticed was the Dodgers hitters don’t make in-game adjustments. They’re very married to the percentages that they see before the game.”"

Hairston Jr. then doubled down by appearing on the “Inside the Ravine” podcast with Dodgers superfan Blake Harris to go into more detail about the scouting that goes into exposing LA in the postseason.

In the end, there’s something to be said about the Dodgers going stiff once the playoffs arrive. There’s something to be said about Roberts’ bullpen management and lineup decisions. Often times it seems the Dodgers don’t get creative enough or are unwilling to deviate from their “plan” that resulted in regular season success.

Andrew Friedman claimed after this year’s postseason exit that Roberts has full autonomy. Do fans believe that, though? And if that is true, then why is Roberts still the manager after so many postseason failures?

Outlandish and/or overly critical takes coming from the LA Times? That’s standard stuff. To be expected.

But exposés coming from within the Dodgers’ organization? That could begin a shift in organizational philosophy nobody ever expected … or result in a bunch of layoffs.

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