When Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts met with media during the Winter Meetings and reflected on a shocking defeat at the hands of the San Diego Padres in the 2022 National League Division Series, he acknowledged his team failed to match the enthusiasm of their opponent.
Roberts was confident in how the Dodgers used the off days before the NLDS to prepare for the best-of-five series, but he wondered if there was a missed opportunity to create a more game-like environment during those workouts and planned to change it for the 2023 postseason.
That sentiment extended to Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas for the 2023 NLDS, as they recommended the Dodgers invite fans to attend a workout and intrasquad game.
As the Dodgers close in on beginning what they hope is a deep postseason run, Roberts has been pleased with their preparation process thus far.
“There’s no perfect way to simulate a regular season game, let alone a postseason game, but I thought the crispness and focus was really good the last couple days,” he said.
“[Thursday] we’ve got Lance Lynn who is going to throw three or four innings, and Gavin Stone’s going to throw the same. I’m expecting a lot of the same thing. It was good having some fans in the stands.
“I think that heightened some of the intensity as well.”
Roberts further elaborated that there was not any specific message he needed to give players because the increased focus occurred naturally.
“This actually came about pretty organically in the sense that it was driven by Mookie and Miguel Rojas, of how we can kind of heighten intensity during this week,” Roberts said. “So for me, the coaches, it was more about how do we execute it.
“It’s even more powerful when its the players’ suggestion.”
Dodgers NLDS schedule
Saturday, October 7: Game 1, Dodger Stadium, 6:20 p.m. PT
Monday, October 9: Game 2, Dodger Stadium, 6:07 p.m.
Wednesday, October 11: Game 3, Chase Field, TBA
Thursday, October 12: Game 4*, Chase Field, TBA
Saturday, October 14: Game 5*, Dodger Stadium, TBA
*if necessary
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