Mixing and matching is not Dodgers’ issue so far

10:29 PM ET

LOS ANGELES — Less than two months into his first job as Los Angeles Dodgers manager and Dave Roberts’ ever-changing lineups are starting to come into question.

A day after Trayce Thompson hit a winning home run, he was back on the bench while Carl Crawford started in left field. On Tuesday, Roberts appeared to be questioned about a unique arrangement to his lineup where Yasiel Puig was dropped to the No. 7 spot and Crawford hit eighth.

Trayce Thompson homered in his previous two games but was on the bench to start Wednesday’s game against the Mets. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

The issue appeared to be one that dogged former manager Don Mattingly: that the front office is using analytics to set the lineup, with limited input from Roberts. Roberts was asked about a reliance on analytics to set the batting order and how rigid the club is in that area.

“I break from analytics every single night,” Roberts retorted. “Two nights ago, Trayce had an at-bat against [Mets reliever Jim] Henderson, …

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