The Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves have faced each other in three of the last four postseasons and many expect that will happen again in 2022 as a rivalry is being created between the clubs.
The two teams have both been aggressive upgrading their rosters and ended up taking franchise legends from each other when the Dodgers signed Freddie Freeman and the Braves added Kenley Jansen.
While the defending champions have a talented team, the Dodgers are still the favorites to win the final game this season and manager Dave Roberts all but guaranteed a World Series title for L.A. this season.
After Roberts made his claim, outspoken Braves relief pitcher Tyler Matzek shared his thoughts on Twitter by mocking the prediction for what will happen in the future:
Breaking: Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, believed to have received a copy of Grays Sports Almanac from future self. Plans to open Dave Roberts’ Pleasure Paradise Casino and Hotel in near future.
— Tyler “Nutsack” Matzek (@TylerMatzek) March 25, 2022
In their last four postseason meetings dating back to 2013, the Dodgers have won three of the series, including coming from down 3-1 in the National League Championship Series in 2020.
No team has also won more often than the Dodgers over the past five seasons, so Roberts’ confidence is backed up by their success.
The Braves were finally able to get over the hump in 2021 to defeat the team that has caused them so much playoff heartbreak over the past few seasons. Atlanta also defeated L.A. in the 1996 NL Division Series, their only other playoff win between the two clubs.
Last season, the Dodgers were badly stung by the injury bug before making a splash to acquire Trea Turner and Max Scherzer at the trade deadline.
But just before the playoffs, L.A. lost Clayton Kershaw and Max Muncy for the remainder of the year, Scherzer ultimately was unable to make his final start in the NLCS due to dead arm.
The Braves were also without one of their stars in Ronald Acuña Jr., but they did acquire Eddie Rosario, Jorge Soler and Joc Pederson prior to the trade deadline. Each of them went on to play important roles in Atlanta’s World Series run.
As the Dodgers are back at full strength with a much deeper roster in 2022, they will hope to stay healthy and prove their manager correct, even if it makes Matzek upset.
Dodgers sign Roberts to contract extension
The Dodgers signed their skipper to a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2025 season. It’s the second extension Roberts and the Dodgers have agreed to since he was hired as manager in November 2015.
“I’m very happy to have the opportunity to continue leading this great team into the future,” Roberts said in a statement.
Through his first seven seasons as manager, Roberts has led the Dodgers to an MLB-best 542-329 record, five National League West titles, three NL pennants and one World Series championship.
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