Dodgers Face Three Roster Decisions Before NLCS

Dodgers staff is staring at a lineup sheet that still has three blank lines. They just beat the Braves in four games, but the win felt less like a victory and more like a hurdle cleared. Now comes the hard part: deciding who actually plays. It is not about small tweaks or benching a guy for a day. This is about structural choices that will dictate how the team looks for the rest of the month.

Every seat on that bench is a potential swing factor. The talent is there, sure, but talent does not win series; specific roles do. The Brewers are a physical, gritty team that will punish any hesitation. The margin for error is basically zero. In the next few days, you will see who is trusted with the big moments and who is sent home to wait for the next call-up.

The Wrobleski Dilemma

Justin Wrobleski was a star in June. He made the All-Star team and looked like the ace he was supposed to be. Then the second half started, and the wheels fell off. His starts went sideways, and the move to the bullpen did not fix things. He got hurt in the forearm, sat out, and came back to a role that never quite clicked.

The numbers from the last month are ugly. A 4.61 ERA in 13.2 innings across seven appearances. That is not a number that gets you a spot in October. Last year, he was a lock, allowing zero runs in four postseason games. This year, the bullpen is different. Kris Bubic and Brock Stewart are in the mix, but they are not untouchable. Wrobleski has to climb a steep hill to displace them.

The Dodgers need a closer who does not miss. Wrobleski has the name and the pedigree, but the current product is not there. If he cannot find his command, the door shuts. The front office is looking at the tape, not the resume. He has one or two chances to prove he is still the guy. If he misses, he is done for the postseason.

Kim or De Paula?

Both Hyeseong Kim and Josue De Paula are high-upside guys who could change a game if given the right chance. But they have had very little action. Kim entered the bottom of the ninth in Game 4 against Atlanta and just played defense. He did not run a steal, he did not hit, he just stood there. It was a wasted opportunity for a team that needs every edge they can get.

De Paula, on the other hand, actually did something. He had two pinch-hit chances, going 0-for-1 with a pop-up on the final out of Game 2. But then came Game 4. He drew a walk with two on and two out, loading the bases for Andy Pages to hit the winning two-run shot. He handled Didier Fuentes, who had beaten the Dodgers twice in that series. That kind of poise is rare and hard to find.

Off the bench, De Paula is the best pure hitter they have. That is a hard asset to give up. But if the series turns into a pitcher’s war, they might need an extra arm. Kim can play every defensive position, which is valuable. The choice is simple: do they need a Swiss Army knife for defense, or a guy who can actually drive the ball when the lineup is tired?

Miggy's Last Dance?

Miguel Rojas left Game 3 early with a lower-back issue and did not play Game 4. If that back is still acting up, the Dodgers have a real problem. It might be his last season. Do they put him on the injured list? He still hits well against lefties, and his glove is essential against a team like Milwaukee that hits for power.

An IL stint would free up a slot for another pitcher, keeping both Kim and De Paula on the roster. Kim can cover the gaps defensively. They could also add a specialist like Alex Call or Alex Freeland. Call is a righty who can hit, which is a bonus. The options are there, but the cost is high. The Brewers have left-handed power, and Rojas’ defense is a luxury they may not be able to afford to lose.

This is as much about heart as it is about stats. Rojas is a leader, a voice in the clubhouse, and a key part of their identity. But baseball is cold. If his body is not working, they have to make the call. The NLCS is short, and every player has to be at 100%. Rojas knows that. The decision will come down to whether he can actually play, not whether they want him to.

The Road to the Fall Classic

The Dodgers have the talent to win the World Series. But talent is not a strategy. They need the right mix of players, the right roles, and the right chemistry. These three roster decisions are the defining moments of their postseason run. The front office is under pressure, but they have the experience to make the hard calls when it matters most.

The Brewers are waiting. They are a tough team, and they will not go down without a fight. The Dodgers must be ready. They must make the right choices, and they must trust their players. The next few days will be crucial. The roster will be set, and the real test will begin. The Dodgers are in control, but they must act decisively.