by Mark Langill
The top of the Dodger batting order is a sure thing. Mt. Rushmore is not going to change.
The rest of the postseason script in 2025?
Don’t bother.
Expect the unexpected.
Look at the recent past.
Who predicted Tommy Edman, an infielder/outfielder acquired at the 2024 trade deadline, as the National League Championship Series MVP against the New York Mets?
How about Walker Buehler, who was 1–6 with a 5.38 ERA in 16 starts during the 2024 regular season, entering the final inning at Yankee Stadium to save the clinching World Series Game 5.
In 2013, the Dodgers began their current playoff streak, which is tied for second with the New York Yankees (1995–2007) on the all-time list in Major League history behind the Atlanta Braves’ 14 seasons between 1991 and 2005.
The 2013 campaign also marked the second of Clayton Kershaw’s three career Cy Young Awards. In 2013, he was the bona fide ace of the pitching staff. Now in his final season, his role could be anything. He’s not on the Wild Card roster, but could make an impact down the road of all things as a relief pitcher.
In 2017, the Dodgers left shortstop Corey Seager off the NL Championship Series roster because of a back injury he suffered in the Division Series. The Dodgers turned to backup Charlie Culberson, who batted .154 in 15 regular-season games. Against the Chicago Cubs, Culberson hit .455 (5-for-11) in five games as the Dodgers beat the Cubs, 4–1, to win their first pennant since 1988.
During the 2020 postseason, the Dodgers added 29-year-old journeyman outfielder Terrance Gore to the postseason roster, despite him playing two games during the regular season as a defensive replacement and pinch runner.
Gore had been designated for assignment by the Dodgers in late July. Then he circled back. He was added to the roster for the Dodgers’ Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers in September. Gore didn’t play, and he was left off subsequent NLCS and World Series rosters.
But Gore’s presence on the 2020 playoff roster previewed the Dodgers’ willingness to be creative with roster decisions. There are also times when a team keeps the porch light on for a player’s potential or previous history.
The Dodgers’ 2021 NL Championship Series roster featured outfielder Steven Souza Jr., who hit 63 home runs with Tampa Bay between 2015 and 2017.
In 2021, Souza Jr. batted .152 in 17 games with the Dodgers during the regular season. In the postseason, he batted .125 (1-for-8) in three playoff series against the Cardinals, Giants and Braves.
In 2024, the Dodgers added rookie pitcher Edgardo Henriquez after the right-hander made just three appearances over 3 1/3 innings at the end of the regular season. Henriquez pitched in both the Division Series and League Championship.
In the World Series, the Dodgers deployed another rookie pitcher, Ben Casparius, who made his first Major League start in Game 4 at Yankee Stadium.
Though it’s not a big surprise, rookie Roki Sasaki is on the Wild Card roster. He began the season as a starting pitcher and, after a long Major League layoff, returned last Wednesday to make two relief appearances last week. That’s his role now.
And then there’s Ben Rortvedt and Justin Dean.
Rortvedt, 28, was in the Minor Leagues to begin September.
He made an impression as a backup catcher in September after injuries to Will Smith and Dalton Rushing.
Dodger pitchers had a 2.89 ERA with Rortvedt behind the dish. He was also behind the plate for Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s near no-hitter that was broken up with two out in the ninth inning at Baltimore on Sept. 6.
Rortvedt was acquired from Tampa Bay in a trade on July 31 that sent catcher Hunter Feduccia to the Rays. In 18 games, he batted .224/.309/.327/.636.
Dean, 28, made his Major League debut with Los Angeles on Aug. 8. In 18 games, the outfielder had two plate appearances.
Dean gives the Dodgers added speed and defense on the postseason roster. In 90 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2025, Dean stole 27 bases.
2025 Postseason: Anything goes was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.