The Dodgers dont yet know whether theyll be heading to Milwaukee to face the Brewers or welcoming the Cubs into Dodger Stadium for Mondays series Pierre Turgeon Jersey opener of the NLCS, but thats not stopping them from making plans for the series. In particular, manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including ) this afternoon that he expects the club to carry at least one more pitcher on their roster for the upcoming series after carrying 11 (plus ) in the NLDS against the Phillies. That will consequently mean shortening up a bench that was six players deep during this past series. suggests that utility man and outfielder are the most likely candidates to be left off the NLCS roster. Kim, 26, has a wRC+ of 95 in 71 regular seasons games this year in his rookie campaign after signing with the Dodgers out of South Korea during the offseason. Hes primarily played second base this year but has also made cameos at shortstop and in center field. Dean, meanwhile, has just two plate appearances in the majors this year as hes been used almost exclusively as a pinch runner by Los Angeles. He does have a stolen base this postseason, however, while Kim has made just appearance so far acro s L.A.s two series. , , and have all drawn starts in the playoffs already and seem likely to once again be parts of the bench mix headed into the NLCS. has seen virtually no playing time so far, but might be needed insurance for the Dodgers at the catcher position given that is playing through a hairline fracture in his throwing hand. Keeping Rushing on the roster would mean that the Dodgers will have two catchers available even if Smith needs a game or two off at some point to manage the injury. Without a three-catcher setup, a day or two off for Smith would likely nece sitate a placement on the injured list, which would then make him unavailable for the World Series if the Dodgers were to advance. One player that definitely wont be removed from the roster, it seems, is utility man . Hernandez has served as the clubs starting left fielder this postseason and, while hes known to have been nursing a day-to-day back injury since the Wild Card series against Cincinnati, relays that Hernandez is doing fine in spite of that injury and that the days off between the end of the NLDS and the start of the NLCS should help him get healthy. Hernandez has long been excellent in the postseason and that hasnt changed this year, with a .318/.400/.409 slash line (132 wRC+) acro s 25 plate appearances. Turning back to the rotation, Roberts indicated to reporters (including ) that despite both Ohtani and needing extra rest built in between their starts, he does not anticipate the Dodgers needing more than four starters for their upcoming seven game set. That quartet figures to be the aforementioned duo of Ohtani and Yamamoto, plus and . and have both been available to provide length out of the bullpen so far, and headed into the NLCS its po sible someone like or is added to the playoff roster to give the team another long relief option. Karson Kuhlman Jersey