The Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back from being swept by the San Francisco Giants over the weekend with a 2-0 win against the Los Angeles Angels in the Freeway Series opener.
The Dodgers snapped a three-game losing streak in the process and remained tied with the San Diego Padres for first place in the National League West. L.A. nevertheless has dropped nine of their last 14 games, which includes being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently attributed the slump to the club straying away from a mindset of doing whatever it takes to win and focusing on what’s best for the team rather than individual performances.
“I’ve had conversations with certain players as far as making sure we’re on the same page as far as our goal,” Roberts clarified before Tuesday’s matchup against the Angels.
“And that’s to win a baseball game each night. How we go about that shouldn’t waver and the goal shouldn’t waver, so it’s something that I just felt needed to be brought to light. It’s a good reminder for all of us at times during a long Major League season.
“So I feel like we’re in a good spot.”
Roberts, who played 10 seasons in the Majors, conceded that he lost sight of the bigger picture at times as well, and believes a reminder of what’s important can be useful. “I played this game and I was guilty many times at feeling sorry for myself,” Roberts said.
“Looking at my own statistics, and you sort of lose sight of the big picture of the main goal. I think everyone’s guilty of that at times. And I think it’s my job to have the pulse of that and to remind people, let’s stay the course and continue to focus on what’s important.”
Roberts not expecting Dodgers to play with ‘hair on fire’
While Roberts wants to see more urgency from his players, he doesn’t want them overreacting this early in the season. “I think that there should always be a sense of urgency. But I’m not talking about playing with your hair on fire. That’s not who we are,” Roberts explained.
“But playing to win a baseball game, that’s urgent enough for me and for all of us. So it’s not guys trying to do any more, but just keeping the main goal in the forefront of our minds. And that’s to win tonight. That’s it.”
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