Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — As the Dodgers prepared for a pivotal Game 2 in their series against the San Diego Padres, Manager Dave Roberts addressed the media in a pregame press conference on Wednesday evening. Following a tough loss in Game 1, Roberts maintained a calm and confident demeanor, emphasizing the resilience of his players and their readiness to bounce back.
When asked whether the previous night’s heartbreaking loss would leave a lingering effect on the team, Roberts was quick to dispel concerns. “When you play 162 games, there are a lot of heartbreaking moments, and the thing about baseball players is they come back and do it again the next day,” he said. “Lingering effects? I don’t think so. It’s up to Jack [Flaherty] to set the tone, and for our guys to be ready to win a ball game tonight.”
The focus of the night would be on Jack Flaherty, who was acquired to help the Dodgers in precisely these high-stakes situations. Roberts didn’t hesitate to express his confidence in the veteran right-hander: “Jack is seasoned, he’s pitched in big ballgames. He’s here because he’s not going to run from the moment.”
Flaherty’s start is crucial as the Dodgers face increasing pressure in the final stretch of the regular season, with potential playoff implications. Roberts admitted that, with a tightly contested race, every game feels like a must-win. Reflecting on similar situations, he pointed to the Dodgers’ recent series against the Atlanta Braves: “Atlanta was a must-win game for us. Given where we were, after losing the first two games, that felt like a similar situation. And here we are again.”
Roberts acknowledged that this moment tests the character of his team, but he expressed confidence in their ability to respond to adversity. “Baseball players get tested with their character quite often. I’ve seen our guys bounce back; they’re resilient, they’re tough. No one’s going to feel sorry for us. You have to go out there and be a pro and win a baseball game.”
The Dodgers’ leadership, both in the clubhouse and on the field, was another key theme in the press conference. While Justin Turner had long been the team’s vocal leader before his departure, Roberts pointed out that Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas have since stepped into those roles. “Mookie is more that guy now, internally getting guys ready. Miggy Ro is also that guy. But it has to be organic. If we needed a rah-rah guy after last night, we have the wrong guys.”
Roberts also shed light on his own role in the clubhouse, particularly when it comes to fostering accountability among players. “I’m big on players holding themselves accountable,” he explained. “I let Justin [Turner] do a lot of that in the past, but now, I step in when necessary, especially if things get complacent. When things are tough, I focus on positivity, and when things are going well, I can be more critical to guard against complacency.”
A notable absence from the lineup was Gavin Lux, whom Roberts acknowledged has been struggling offensively over the past few weeks. Despite Lux’s recent scuffles, Roberts remains committed to giving the young infielder opportunities, particularly against right-handed pitching. “Gavin’s body of work overall has been very good. It’s been a rough couple of weeks, but I’m going to continue giving him every opportunity to succeed in the postseason. It’s my job to instill confidence in him.”
Roberts did not shy away from admitting that Lux’s struggles against left-handed pitching this season were partly his responsibility, citing a lack of consistent opportunities against southpaws. “I didn’t give him much of a runway versus lefties, and it’s hard for a hitter when you’re not getting those looks. But going forward, I believe Gavin is going to hit left-handed pitching and be an everyday player.”
When asked about his expectations for the team’s response following the Game 1 loss, Roberts expressed unwavering confidence in his players. “I’m very confident. I can’t tell you how it’s going to play out, but [Padres starter] Dylan Cease is going to know he was in a fight tonight.”
Roberts also touched on the team’s pitching plans for the upcoming series against the Colorado Rockies. Despite the uncertainty of clinching their division before heading into that series, Roberts emphasized that the team’s strategy wouldn’t change. Friday is set to be a bullpen day, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start on Saturday.
One highlight of the press conference was Roberts’ thoughts on *Miguel Rojas, who was named the recipient of the Roy Campanella Award earlier in the day. The award, voted on by Dodgers uniformed personnel, honors the player who best exemplifies the leadership and spirit of Hall of Famer Roy Campanella. “This award means a lot to Miggy,” Roberts noted. “He’s not a perennial All-Star or an MVP, but what he’s done for our ball club—tutoring Mookie, having one-on-one conversations with guys, playing wherever we’ve needed him—that’s why his teammates voted for him.”
Despite the challenges facing the Dodgers, including Rojas feeling responsible for the loss after a costly error the previous night, Roberts was quick to absolve his veteran shortstop of any blame. “For him to feel like he let the team down is absolutely bananas. Baseball is a team effort, and you win and lose together. That just speaks to his character.”
As Game 2 loomed, Roberts’ message was clear: the Dodgers are ready to fight, with leaders like Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas guiding the way, and veterans like Jack Flaherty ready to step up when it matters most. We’ll see how that plays out on the field.
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
