Jeter says Dodgers are ‘built perfectly for October’ after Game 1 win

Derek Jeter said the Dodgers are “built perfectly for October” after Los Angeles beat Atlanta 5–3 in NLDS Game 1 on October 3, while Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz debated whether the Braves should turn to Chris Sale in Game 2.

On FOX Sports’ postgame show, our favorite crew of Jeter, Rodriguez and Ortiz discussed the Dodgers’ lineup depth and Tarik Skubal’s start. The segment also included Max Muncy’s interview with Ken Rosenthal.

Muncy on October and batting eighth

Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker and Muncy homered for Los Angeles. Rosenthal asked Muncy about his franchise-record 17th postseason home run, then about hitting eighth in the Dodgers’ lineup.

“It’s awesome,” Muncy said of the record. He said its significance was that “it means I’ve had a lot of opportunities to play in October.”

His place in the batting order did not concern him.

“It doesn’t matter where I’m batting,” Muncy said. Describing the message the players give manager Dave Roberts, he added: “We just want to go out there and we want to win.”

Rodriguez called Muncy “one of the most underrated players in our game today.”

Skubal’s start and the ninth-inning rally

Skubal allowed one run on two hits and two walks over six innings, striking out seven on 94 pitches. Dontrelle Willis praised his execution and the way his fastball set up the changeup.

“I felt like the mound presence, the sequence, and really the execution was there all day long,” Willis said.

Atlanta brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth after Ozzie Albies’ two-run homer. Evan Phillips secured the save when Austin Riley grounded out. TSP’s final Game 1 page has the scoring plays and pitching statistics.

Asked about the late rally, Jeter emphasized the Dodgers’ postseason experience.

“They know what it takes to win games this time of year, which is completely different from the regular season,” Jeter said. “This is a different brand of baseball and the Dodgers are built perfectly for October.”

The debate over Atlanta’s Game 2 choice

Rodriguez favored using Sale in Game 2 if he was healthy, arguing that Atlanta could not count on winning three straight against Los Angeles. Jeter agreed, while stressing that the panel did not know Sale’s health situation.

“If he is capable of pitching game two, you have to,” Jeter said. “You have to throw your best out there.”

Ortiz initially preferred another bullpen game, saving Sale for a start in Atlanta. After Rodriguez and Jeter argued for starting him if healthy, Ortiz reconsidered.

“Okay, you guys made me change my mind,” Ortiz said.