Has the Phillies’ Dave Dombrowski and his staff assembled a dominant postseason roster that can win them a World Series?

We’re about to find out when the Phils open the playoffs against the winner of the Reds-Dodgers Wild Card round Saturday at the Bank.

Many envision a Phillies-Dodgers NLCS series that could potentially decide the World Series winner, but don’t forget about the Milwaukee Brewers who own the National League’s top spot.

And the Yankees certainly will have something to say about possibly winning their 28th championship.

In this version of my Behind the Plate column, I will provide a brief look at Dombrowski’s deals, as well as some stops around the league. In addition, I’ll flip back the files on a former Lehighton star.

You Said It ... In a recent Times News Lehighton Sports Facebook poll, the question was posed whether Dombrowski has built a strong postseason roster.

An overwhelming 94 percent believe Dombrowski did a great job.

Let the games begin.

Dealer Dave ... This is shaping up as one of Dombrowski’s better midseason deals and postseason roster that he has assembled in his 39-year overall stint, and fifth in the Phils’ front office.

Johan Duran was the blockbuster deal, but the additions of center fielder Harrison Bader and reliever Dave Robertson have been just as effective. Bader has evolved into a fan favorite and a strong clubhouse presence. Robertson was on the market for over a year until the Phils picked him up.

Don’t forget about the recent signing of Walker Buehler, who has also provided a boost with his 3-0, 0.66 slate in three games, including two starts.

While both Buehler and Taijuan Walker could be thrust into a starting role, the likelihood is that they will be used in long relief.

With Robertson’s success, the bullpen has developed nicely with lefties Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks, along with Orion Kerkering.

Late pickups such as Bucks County native righty Lou Trivino, or lefty Tim Mayza, could fill out the last pitching spot.

For the record, Dombrowski has won championships with both the Marlins and Red Sox, and has guided the Tigers to the World Series twice. He began his career as the White Sox’s general manager in 1986.

The Other Fourth ... Speaking of center fielders, it wasn’t a deadline deal, but the Phils’ trade for Garry Maddox in May of 1975 proved to be one of their all-time acquisitions. It was a key to their mid-70s mastery, just like the deal for Bader could be this season.

Maddox, relatively unknown at the time, was a defensive stalwart, and had a steady bat and speed on the basepaths. Remember the saying ... The earth is covered by two-thirds water, and the other third is covered by Maddox.

Will the Drought Be Over? ... Expectations are high for the Yankees to claim their first championship since 2009.

Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and rookie Cam Schlittler make up a formidable starting staff with fellow rookie Will Warren within reach. Reliever Devin Williams has bounced back, and David Bednar, Luke Weaver and Camilio Doval have been reliable on the back end.

Trent Grisham is having a career year, while late pickup Jose Caballero has been invaluable for the slumping Anthony Volpe.

General manager Brian Cashman did a tremendous job at the trade deadline, and has the club in a great position.

The Pitching Lab Went Poof ... Many are calling it one of the game’s great collapses, but the Mets’ demise also could have been a slow death.

Since June 12 — when they were 21 games over .500 (45-24) and had a 5.5-game lead over the Phillies — the Mets went 38-55 the rest of the way and finished 13 games behind.

It really came down to their pitching and their famed “pitching lab” under Jeremy Hefner, which posted a 5.19 ERA in September and finished the year with 28 blown saves and 36 blown leads overall.

Both general manager David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza will be back next season, but hitting coaches Eric Chavez and Jeremy Barnes and third base coach Mike Sarbaugh are rumored to be gone, with Hefner on the bubble. Rookie hurler Nolan McLean looks like the next Tom Seaver, and fellow rookies Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong should help.

Rhys Wasn’t Right ... Current Brewer and former Phillies’ first baseman Rhys Hoskins has been working his way back from a left thumb sprain that sidelined him for 57 games. In September he has primarily been used in a pinch-hitting role and had one hit in his first 10 plate appearances.

Hoskins hit .303 in April with three homers and 12 RBIs, and followed that with a .271 May when he had six homers and 22 RBIs.

However, he slipped to .150 in June and was shelved from the beginning of July through August, and also in the beginning of September.

Should they meet, Hoskins would sure like to be a Phillies-killer. Hoskins had two homers and six RBIs against the Phils in a 17-7 rout at the Bank May 31, but only went 2-for-15 (.133) during the Brewers’ three-game sweep.

You Can Tell Your Friend, Har-vey ... In 1982, Milwaukee had the best regular-season record in baseball with an overall 95-67 mark under Harvey Kuenn, becoming known as “Harvey’s Wallbangers” due to their powerhitters.

And, yes, I did write about them in a previous column.

The club featured ex-Phillies Larry Hisle and Randy Lerch, neither of whom played major roles. Hisle appeared in only nine games in his last season, while Lerch was 8-7 with a 4.97 ERA in 21 games (20 starts) before he was purchased by the Expos on Aug. 14.

Those Brewers did make it to the World Series against the Cardinals, before losing in seven games. Rollie Fingers, who had a 5-6, 2.60 mark with 29 saves, didn’t pitch in the Series due to an arm tear.

The Cards’ Darrell Porter won both the World Series MVP and NLCS honor. He hit .556 in the NLCS, and .286 in the World Series.

By the way, the “You Can Tell Your Friend, Har-vey” line came from a Honeymooners episode. Their diehard fans know what I mean.

Quick Quiz ... Who did the Phillies receive when they traded Lerch to the Brewers in 1981?

Readers Write

Phillies Need to Mesh at the Right Time

Dear Jeff,

The real answer to whether or not the Phillies are a strong postseason contender is ... it depends.

They lost Wheeler, but they have three solid starters. It depends what hitters show up. Last year, they were cold in the playoffs. The Phillies certainly have the team, but they all need to come to play. They need to click at the right time.

Melissa Hammer Hager

Lehighton, Pa

Keep Bleeding Dodger Blue

Dear Jeff,

Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts called me for some advice since our starting pitching is healthy and doing well, and our relievers are struggling. He should consider using our starters for the full game in the postseason. Plus, we have no real closer.

For example, use Yamamoto/Sheehan in Game 1; Snell/Kershaw, Game 2; Ohtani/Glasnow, Game 3. Ohtani should start, so we don’t use the DH. You can substitute Sasaki and Vesia as needed.

Also, tell Mookie to concentrate on baseball, not politics. No matter what you say, there will always be people who disagree and create ill feelings.

Let’s see if Dave listens.

Paul J. Dallara

Hawley, PA

One Man’s Thoughts ... Here’s one man’s thoughts on how the playoffs can play themselves out in the Wild Card Round (As those tiny white football tickets used to read, these are for “amusement only”):

Dodgers over Reds: Terry Francona’s Reds made a great run, but the Dodgers are too deep. Their starting pitching is healthy.

Cubs over Padres: For whatever reason, the Cubs will find some magic here and surprise the Padres, who peaked too early.

Guardians over Tigers: Tarik Skubal is pitching well, but his team had a major collapse. On the other hand, the Guardians are surging.

Yankees over Red Sox: This is the matchup that will be the most watched. The Yankees rolled at the end of the regular season, and this could be Aaron Judge’s long-awaited postseason.

Here are some early NLDS picks:

Phillies over Dodgers: Like previously mentioned, Phils have the roster. Can their bats be consistent?

Brewers over Cubs: It will be a great six-game series. The Brewers have more firepower and arms.

Yankees over Blue Jays: Judge and Giancarlo Stanton both have a big series. Max Fried is on his way to the Cy Young.

Mariners over Guardians: MVP candidate Cal Raleigh continues his assault. Ex-Phillie shortstop J.P. Crawford, along with starter Brian Woo will be on the rise.

Quiz Answer ... It was outfielder Dick Davis.

Davis played in 45 games in 1981 and hit .333. The following year, Davis began the year with the Phils before he was traded to Toronto on June 15. In two seasons, Davis hit .311 with four homers and 36 RBIs in 73 games. He had two plate appearances without a hit in the 1981 NL Divisional Series.

Scrapbook ... Each column, I’ll turn back the pages to find a former standout from our coverage area.

Lehighton pitcher Ryan Kuehn had an outstanding career, posting a 4-1 record with a 1.44 ERA as a junior. He also helped lead the Indians to a district berth.

Kuehn continued his career at Temple University, but underwent Tommy John surgery in 2010 as a medical redshirt. He returned in 2011 when he posted a 1.86 ERA in five appearances.

In his junior season, Kuehn was 1-2 with a 2.21 ERA in 16 games. Kuehn became a starter in his senior season, and went 4-2 with a 3.54 ERA. He pitched the final game of that season, scattering three hits over five innings.

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