The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially announced their 26-man roster for the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. For the best of 7 series, there were a couple notable changes.
Here is your 26-man roster for the NLCS. #RepeatLA pic.twitter.com/LuVr4dwJGu
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 16, 2021
On Friday afternoon, Dave Roberts told media that the roster would likely be constructed of 13 pitchers and 13 position players after going with 12 pitchers and 14 position players in the divisional round. The change to the roster was the return of LHP Justin Bruihl, as well as righty reliever Evan Phillips. To make room for the pitcher, outfielder/utility fielder Billy McKinney was removed from the roster, as well as veteran lefty David Price.
With Atlanta featuring a number of slugging left-handed batters on the bench and in the lineup, including Freddie Freeman and old friend Joc Pederson, bringing Bruihl (2.89 ERA, .150 batting average allowed vs LHB) back into the picture was a no brainer for the Dodgers, as well as reliever Evan Phillips to pad the bullpen.
PITCHERS
- RHP Phil Bickford
- LHP Justin Bruihl
- RHP Walker Buehler
- RHP Tony Gonsolin
- RHP Brusdar Graterol
- RHP Kenley Jansen
- RHP Joe Kelly
- RHP Corey Knebel
- RHP Evan Phillips
- RHP Max Scherzer
- RHP Blake Treinen
- LHP Julio Urias
- LHP Alex Vesia
On the position player side, the Dodgers drop outfielder Billy McKinney to make room for the pitchers added for the series, but outfielder Steve Souza remains active. Max Muncy remains off the active roster, sadly.
#Dodgers announce NLCS roster. Add LHP Justin Bruihl and RHP Evan Phillips. Subtract OF-1B Billy McKinney and LHP David Price. No miracle healing of Max Muncy’s elbow yet
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 16, 2021
Position Players
- C Austin Barnes
- 1B Matt Beaty
- CF Cody Bellinger
- RF Mookie Betts
- IF/OF Gavin Lux
- LF AJ Pollock
- 1B/PH Albert Pujols
- SS Corey Seager
- C Will Smith
- OF Steven Souza
- IF/OF Chris Taylor
- 3B Justin Turner
- 2B Trea Turner
First pitch for game 1 of the NLCS is set for 5:07 PM PT at Truist Park in Atlanta. Left-hander Max Fried gets the ball for Brian Snitker’s club while the Dodgers counter with another bullpen game.
NEXT: Corey Knebel to Start Game 1 of the NLCS Tonight