BLUE OCTOBER BUZZ: Dodgers’ NLCS Roster Prediction Sends Fans Into Frenzy, Clayton Kershaw Officially Back in the Mix, A Surprise Arm Joins the Staff at the Last Minute, And This Move Could Flip the Entire Series…ll

Clayton Kershaw falters early as Dodgers lose Game 2 of NLDS - Los Angeles  Times

The run towards back-to-back World Series titles continues for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After disposing of the Philadelphia Phillies in four games during the NLDS, a spot in the NLCS awaits Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and the rest of the Boys in Blue.

As we’ve done ahead of the Wild Card and NLDS, this roster prediction will aim to piece together a group Dave Roberts could roll out versus the winner of the Chicago Cubs-Milwaukee Brewers series.

While one notable name will be left off due to injury, another will rejoin the squad after not featuring in either of the first two rounds.

Two-Way (1): Shohei Ohtani

While Ohtani pitched brilliantly in Game 1 of the NLDS, he struggled immensely at the plate. The hopes are that he can enjoy a mental reset over the next few days. Fortunately for Ohtani, neither the Cubs nor the Brewers possess the type of elite talent from the left side compared to the Ranger Suarez-Cristopher Sanchez-Jesus Luzardo group.

Starting Pitchers (3): Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow

Along with Ohtani, the immensely gifted quartet will once again be asked to carry the Dodgers moving forward. Glasnow was fantastic in the decisive series-ending win on Thursday evening. Snell has been lights-out throughout the postseason. Yamamoto will be looking to bounce back from an underwhelming Game 3 start (by his standards).

The most fascinating element for the NLCS revolves around the order in which these pitchers will be utilized. We’ve seen Ohtani struggle during starts, more so the day after taking the mound, at the plate. For that reason, with an off day coming after Game 2, it may make some sense to let Ohtani take the ball then with Snell presumably taking the bump in Game 1 of the upcoming series.

Relief Pitchers (9): Emmet Sheehan, Clayton Kershaw, Blake Treinen, Roki Sasaki, Alex Vesia, Jack Dreyer, Anthony Banda, Justin Wrobleski, Ben Casparius

It’s been reported that Tanner Scott will not be available until the World Series should the Dodgers get that far in the postseason. He was replaced mid-series by Wrobleski, and we expect “Wrobo” to continue to be on the roster given his ability to pitch multiple innings coupled with the velocity he brings from the left side.

The only other addition to the group will be Casparius. He’s been waiting in the wings for his opportunity to make his mark on the squad. The Dodgers do need another right-handed reliever added for balance and as a possible innings eater. Edgardo Henriquez’s lack of control in the Wild Card round may prevent him from being a realistic option.

Kyle Hurt could ultimately be a guy looked at in this spot. A more speculative yet not completely unrealistic option is Kirby Yates. With this being a seven-game series, relievers that can take down multiple innings (Kershaw, Sheehan, Sasaki) will be highly significant.

Position Players (13): Will Smith, Ben Rortvedt, Freddie Freeman, Miguel Rojas, Tommy Edman, Max Muncy, Hyeseong Kim, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Kiké Hernandez, Alex Call, Justin Dean, Andy Pages

More news: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Gushes Over Roki Sasaki: ‘All-Time’ Performance

With Smith seemingly healthy, the Dodgers could opt for more roster versatility by rolling the dice and leaving Rushing off the squad. There’s also a world where Rortvedt is left off the team for Rushing given the fact that the youngster offers far more power and ability at the plate. However, Rortvedt is the quintessential “vibes” guy for this team at the moment.

There’s no other surprise when surveying the team across the board. Dean remains as a pinch-runner/defensive sub in centerfield. Call will have some real value in this upcoming series considering what he did against the Phillies versus lefties, and also due to the tough lefties LA will face with either the Cubs (Shota Imanaga, Matt Boyd, Caleb Thielbar, Drew Pomeranz) or the Brewers (Jose Quintana, Jared Koenig, Aaron Ashby, Robert Gasser).

 

Related Posts

🚨 PROSPECT WATCH HEATS UP: The 2026 South Side Sox Prospect Vote has officially reached Round 30, and the conversation is getting louder — and more divided — than anyone expected. Names once flying under the radar are suddenly gaining momentum. Fan perception, upside debates, and long-term projection are colliding in real time. This round could quietly redefine how the Chicago White Sox’ future is viewed 👇

White Sox Prospect Vote Update: Juan Carela Climbs Back Into the Spotlight as No. 29, While Nico Hoerner Style Jumps From Veterans Fuel the Ballot Juan Carela…

🚨 UNDER-THE-RADAR ADDITION WITH BIG IMPLICATIONS: The Cincinnati Reds quietly strengthened their pitching staff by signing a reliable former Atlanta Braves arm in free agency. It’s not the flashiest move — but insiders say it’s the kind contenders swear by. Consistency, experience, and clubhouse trust all factor into this decision. Sometimes the smartest upgrades happen without headlines 👇

Reds Double Down on Playoff Push by Adding Pierce Johnson, Borrowing a Page From Braves’ Bullpen Blueprint After breaking through and reaching the postseason in 2025, the…

🚨 INSIDE MOVE AMID THE NOISE: The Boston Red Sox quietly signed a reliever with ties to the Houston Astros and Miami Marlins — and the timing is impossible to ignore. While the Alex Bregman drama dominates headlines, this under-the-radar move hints at deeper planning. Insiders say Boston isn’t distracted — they’re multitasking. Sometimes the real story isn’t the loudest one 👇

Red Sox Face Mounting Scrutiny After Quiet Free Agency as Seth Martinez Signing Does Little to Ease Fan Frustration The Boston Red Sox have experienced one of…

🚨 REPORT | FREE AGENCY PIVOT STUNS LEAGUE: The New York Yankees have reportedly made a jarring pivot in their pursuit of Kyle Tucker, and it’s catching rival executives off guard. What once felt like a straight-line chase has abruptly changed direction. Insiders suggest new priorities — not price — triggered the shift. One unexpected turn may have just rewritten the Yankees’ entire offseason script 👇

Yankees Shift Offseason Strategy as Cody Bellinger Talks Stall and Kyle Tucker Emerges as Serious Alternative The New York Yankees entered the offseason with a clear priority….

🚨 FINANCIAL PRESSURE IGNITES TRADE TALK: A $35M infielder with the Chicago Cubs is suddenly staring at real trade danger — and it all traces back to Tom Ricketts’ growing reluctance to cross the CBT line after Alex Bregman’s hefty deal. What once felt like roster stability is now cracking under financial tension. Insiders say this isn’t about talent, but tolerance for spending. One contract elsewhere may have quietly put this Cub on the clock 👇

Cubs’ Alex Bregman Blockbuster Could Trigger Major Roster Shake-Up as Nico Hoerner Emerges in Trade Rumors Landing Alex Bregman stands as one of the most significant moves…

🚨 GAME CHANGER: Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago White Sox at American Family Field – You Won’t Believe the New Kickoff Time!

🚨 GAME CHANGER: Milwaukee Brewers vs Chicago White Sox at American Family Field – You Won’t Believe the New Kickoff Time! The Major League Baseball schedule for…