Dodgers Bench Max Muncy After Game 1 Homer Because They Can

The Los Angeles Dodgers are so deep it is almost insulting to the rest of the league. Max Muncy hits a home run in Game 1 of the playoffs, and his reward is a spot on the bench for Game 2.

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Miguel Rojas is getting the start at third base instead. Why? Because the Atlanta Braves are throwing a bullpen game, and Los Angeles is playing 4D chess with its matchups.

"Bob Nightengale noted the Dodgers are deep enough to bring Muncy off the bench against Atlanta's bullpen game."

Game 1 ended in a 5-3 Dodgers win, fueled partly by Muncy taking one over the fence. Most teams would lock that guy into the cleanup spot until his bat cooled off. The Dodgers just casually swap him out for Rojas because they can.

It is the kind of roster flexibility that makes other front offices sick. Imagine telling a guy who just homered in October that he gets to watch the first six innings in a hoodie. It is the baseball equivalent of getting a promotion and immediately being told to take the week off.

For anyone looking at player props, this completely scrambles the board. Atlanta emptying the bullpen means Los Angeles wants Rojas's glove and bat early, keeping Muncy's left-handed power holstered for a high-leverage pinch-hit spot later in the night.

The Braves are already down 1-0 in the series and now have to navigate a parade of relievers against a lineup that treats playoff heroes like rotational pieces. If Muncy comes off the bench and hits another bomb tonight, Atlanta might just have to forfeit Game 3.