Overview

• With both clubs already division winners, Los Angeles prioritized rest and role auditions, sitting Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy and Tommy Edman while continuing a bullpen-first plan.
• Muncy is dealing with an unspecified lower-body issue and was given a few days to recover, and Edman sat to rest an ankle with expectations to return the following day, according to Roberts.
• Catcher Will Smith remains on the injured list, and Roberts signaled he is more hoping than hopeful for his Wild Card availability, naming Ben Rortvedt the primary option if Smith cannot go.
• The Dodgers won the opener 3-2 on Enrique Hernández’s two-run homer and a Dalton Rushing RBI single, with Tanner Scott stranding the bases loaded for the save.
• Roki Sasaki delivered a sharp second MLB relief outing, averaging near triple digits and striking out Cal Raleigh with splitters as Los Angeles evaluated late-inning options.