Dodgers Interview: Dave Roberts sets the tone before Reds series
LOS ANGELES — On Monday, Dave Roberts laid out the Dodgers plan and kept the message tight. Having already announced that Blake Snell would start Game 1, he filled out the rotation. “Yamamoto will start Game 2,” he said. “If there is a Game 3, [Shohei] Ohtani will probably start Game 3.” Simple. Clear. Everyone knows the assignment.
Clayton Kershaw will not be on the Wild Card roster. Roberts explained why. “He threw yesterday a full ramp-up. He’s not going to be on this roster, but if we’re fortunate enough, he’ll be on the Division Series roster.” That gives Kershaw another few days to build while the club leans on a rested group for this best-of-three.
There was a natural question about flipping Ohtani into Game 1. Roberts pointed to rest and sequence. “The workload. It’s the proper rest for Yamamoto. We don’t know what’s going to happen with Game 3, and there’s an off day after that, so we’re just thinking through everything.” He also admitted the bracket mattered. “Finishing the series in two games has implications for the next series. That played a role as well.”
The Will Smith watch continues, and Roberts sounded encouraged. “Will is in the cage taking batting practice. Came out of it well. He’s going to take part in the live session during our workout. If he can get through today and feel good, then it’s a viable thought” to carry him in a limited role. That would be a late decision, but it is on the table.
As for Roki Sasaki, pencil him in. “I expect him to be on the roster. We haven’t finalized anything yet, but the way he threw and the big games he’s pitched in before, that’s something I can trust. I don’t know the role, but his last couple outings were considerably different than earlier this year.”
Roberts was asked what feels different from last October. He did not hesitate. “The starting pitching is considerably better. It’s in a much better health state as well.” He likes what he just saw from the relief corps too. “Much more confidence than we had a couple weeks ago. You saw guys more on the attack, setting the tone instead of pitching too careful. That Seattle series was really impressive from our pen.”
Fresh arms could be an edge. “I think it’s a good thing,” Roberts said about the lower innings totals across the staff. “Yoshinobu is the only guy that’s gone north of that, but he’s thrown his best in the second half. The other guys have a lot of bullets left. In the postseason, having those extra bullets could be of benefit.”
On the Reds and Terry Francona’s style, Roberts gave a scouting report. “Tito lets his guys do their thing. They’re a resilient group. They play 27 outs. They play with energy. It’s a well balanced team. The starters are notable. They put the ball in play, they compete, they play solid defense, and he’s got some guys he trusts in the pen.”
The trap of a hot six seed is real, and Roberts addressed it head on. “The dangers are the youthful enthusiasm and the naivete. Sometimes it happens so quick they’re just riding a wave. We have to not take them lightly. It’s a really good ball club. They feel like they have nothing to lose. We’re aware of it. We’re focused on playing well.”
Game 1 at home matters. “It’s important for us to strike early and not let these guys hang around and gain confidence,” Roberts said. “Keep our edge. Don’t give them any opportunity of life.”
Health updates were positive. “I don’t think Max and Tommy will have limitations. I’m glad we gave Max the weekend. Tommy now has had two days for that ankle. I expect them both to be in the lineup.”
He was also asked about Mookie Betts, who opened up about health and the move to shortstop. Roberts pointed to a moment that changed things. “When he kind of said that the year was lost, it flipped for him. It freed his mind up.” Then came the play that told the manager Mookie had settled in. “A backhand where he just looked like a natural shortstop, not mechanical. He’s been as good as I could have ever expected.”
Finally, the October reset. “I could spit out six or seven names” who did not have the regular season they wanted, Roberts said. “That’s the great thing about the postseason. Moments and opportunities present themselves, and people remember those moments. Nothing prior matters. It’s the next four weeks and how we’re prepared mentally and physically to play our best baseball, individually and collectively.”
The last word went to experience. “It’s easier with experience. In the postseason the game gets fast. Emotions get high. With experience you can slow it down and control your emotions. Having a lot of guys who have been there makes my job easier.”
Cards on the table. Yamamoto on Wednesday. Ohtani waiting if needed. A bullpen finding its teeth again. The mission is the same as always in October. Strike early, play clean, and make the other side earn every inch.
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