Price added to Dodgers' NLDS roster

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Dodgers have set their 26-man roster for the NLDS against the Giants in advance of Game 1 on Friday.

Walker Buehler, who will start Game 1, is back on the postseason roster after being left off for the Wild Card Game against the Cardinals. Left-hander David Price also makes his return to the roster, giving the Dodgers a second left-hander, along with Alex Vesia, in the bullpen. Price could also serve as a multi-inning opener for the Dodgers in a potential Game 4.

“I think with David, it’s more of, obviously we have a lot of leverage arms that are neutral,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “I think he’s neutral. So just find lanes that make sense, leverage that makes sense, and we’ll deploy him.”

With Price and Buehler back on the roster, the Dodgers will go into the NLDS with 12 pitchers. Roberts said they considered going with 13 pitchers, but they saw a benefit in keeping one extra position player. Steven Souza Jr. and Billy McKinney were the position players that were kept from the Wild Card Game roster. Souza gives them an extra right-handed bat, while McKinney is another left-hander that can play in the outfield or at first base.

Let’s take a look at what the rest of the Dodgers’ roster will look like.

CATCHERS (2)

Austin Barnes: Barnes is the better defensive catcher, but with the Dodgers looking for more offense, he will likely serve as the backup throughout the NLDS. Barnes hit .215 with six homers this season.

Will Smith: Smith is one of the best offensive catchers in baseball, hitting 25 homers in his first full season in the Majors. He’ll be the starting catcher.

INFIELDERS (6)

Matt Beaty, 1B/OF: With Max Muncy sidelined by an injury, Beaty started the NL Wild Card Game at first base. In games where he doesn’t start at first, the Dodgers will rely on Beaty as a pinch-hitter. Beaty hit .270 with seven homers during the regular season.

Albert Pujols, 1B: Pujols did most of his work against left-handed pitching this season. He could get a start at first base, or he could come in late as a pinch-hitter against a tough lefty, much like he did in the NL Wild Card Game against Cardinals’ left-hander T.J. McFarland. Pujols flied out, but he recorded a 107 mph exit velocity.

Corey Seager, SS: Seager won the NL Championship Series and World Series MVP Awards last season. The Dodgers will continue to hope for similar production this year from their star shortstop.

Chris Taylor, UTIL: Taylor made his first All-Star appearance this season, but he has struggled at the plate over the past few months, batting .187 since the start of August. He erased all those recent struggles, however, smacking the walk-off two-run homer to carry the Dodgers past the Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Game.

Justin Turner, 3B: It’s the postseason, meaning this is the time of the year where Turner heats up. He proved that again on Wednesday against the Cards, hitting his franchise-leading 13th career postseason homer.

Trea Turner, 2B: Including the postseason, Turner enters the NLDS riding a career-high 20-game hitting streak. Turner won the NL batting title (.328 average) during the regular season and has picked up right where he left off.

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OUTFIELDERS (6)

Cody Bellinger, OF/1B: Bellinger gives the Dodgers an elite defender in center field, but Los Angeles could use him at first base, if needed. The former NL MVP Award winner posted a career-low .165 batting average this season, but he reached base three times against the Cardinals, including a pivotal two-out walk in the ninth inning.

Mookie Betts, OF: Betts appears to be past a hip injury that sidelined him for a couple of weeks in July and August. He’ll continue to set the tone as the leadoff hitter.

Gavin Lux, OF: Lux has found a new home in the outfield since returning from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sept. 10. He has produced at the plate during that time, batting .360. Lux missed four games with neck soreness, but he made his return during the regular-season finale on Sunday.

Billy McKinney, OF: McKinney gives the Dodgers another left-handed-hitting option off the bench. The veteran outfielder came in as a defensive replacement at first base during the NL Wild Card Game, his first appearance with the Dodgers since Sept. 9.

AJ Pollock, OF: Pollock isn’t fully healed from a right hamstring injury that landed him on the IL last month, but that hasn’t stopped his elite production at the plate. He set a career high with a .892 OPS this season.

Steven Souza Jr., OF: Souza drew a pinch-hit at-bat against McFarland, flying out to center field. He could play a role against a tough left-hander. The veteran outfielder hit .152 with one homer in 33 at-bats this season.

PITCHERS (12)

Phil Bickford, RHP: Bickford was claimed off waivers from the Brewers, and he has turned into one of the Dodgers’ most reliable relievers. He posted a 2.50 ERA in 56 appearances with Los Angeles.

Walker Buehler, RHP: Buehler’s Game 1 start is his seventh meeting against the Giants this season. He posted a 2.47 ERA during the regular-season overall.

Tony Gonsolin, RHP: Gonsolin is fully rested and ready to contribute in multiple roles against the Giants. The right-hander could get the start in a potential Game 4 in the best-of-five NLDS, or he could serve as a multi-inning reliever.

Brusdar Graterol, RHP: Graterol had a tough start to the season, but the right-hander has settled into a high-leverage reliever role over the past few months. He’ll continue to be a late-game option for manager Dave Roberts.

Kenley Jansen, RHP: Jansen has looked to prove that he’s still an elite closer, and he certainly accomplished that during the regular season. The organization's all-time saves leader finished with 38 this season, his most since 2018. He tossed a scoreless ninth against the Cardinals, earning the win in the NL Wild Card Game.

Joe Kelly, RHP: Kelly opened the season on the injured list after undergoing right shoulder surgery, but he has bounced back to become one of the team’s best relievers this season. The right-hander recorded two huge outs in the fifth inning against the Cardinals, keeping the game tied.

Corey Knebel, RHP: After battling injuries over the past few years, Knebel has made a successful return to the mound with the Dodgers. He was touching 97 mph in his outing against the Cardinals.

David Price, LHP: After making 11 starts this season, Price finished the season in the Dodgers’ bullpen. He hasn’t been sharp lately, posting a 5.68 ERA since moving to relief. Price wasn’t on the Dodgers’ roster for the NL Wild Card Game, but he could play a big role in the NLDS.

Max Scherzer, RHP: Scherzer got the start against the Cardinals, but he wasn’t necessarily sharp, allowing one run over 4 1/3 innings. He would likely be available to start Game 3 against the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

Blake Treinen, RHP: Treinen has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball this season. While Jansen is the team’s closer, Roberts and the Dodgers will turn to Treinen to navigate through the toughest part of the Giants’ batting order.

Julio Urías, LHP: Urías will serve as the Dodgers’ Game 2 starter at Oracle Park. If the NLDS extends to a Game 5, the left-hander could make another appearance in the winner-take-all game. Urías was MLB’s only 20-win pitcher this season.

Alex Vesia, LHP: Since July 9, not many relievers have been as effective as Vesia. The left-hander has a 0.92 ERA in 31 appearances since returning to the club. If the Dodgers have a key situation against a lefty hitter, especially Brandon Crawford, it’ll likely be Vesia on the mound.

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