Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts traditionally has not bought into the hype of a regular season series, no matter the media attention or quality of opponent.
Roberts typically goes to great lengths to avoid overselling a matchup, doing so in past meetings with the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, among others. So it would have been natural for him to do the same about the weekend series against the New York Yankees.
But in a surprising change of tone, Roberts bought into the hype of the weekend and saw the win as a good measure for where the Dodgers are at, according to Jack Harris of The L.A. Times:
“I think that playing with this media attention, sold-out [crowds], the energy you feel, against a team you potentially could meet in the World Series,” Roberts said, “it’s sort of a barometer.”
Roberts believes he saw a different level of attention from the Dodgers over the weekend and thinks it could help propel them forward this season, also via Jack Harris of The L.A. Times:
“I think coming in here was a shot in the arm for our guys,” Roberts said, nodding in agreement when asked if the weekend has thus far met the hype. “To play a different opponent, to come in here and what it means to play in this stadium, it’s fun to see our guys play with a little bit more focus.”
The Dodgers took two of three games in the Bronx and had several highlights along the way. On Friday, Yoshinobu Yamamoto shut things down in an extra-innings pitchers’ duel. On Saturday, the Dodgers offense took over in the late stages thanks largely to Teoscar Hernández.
And while the Dodgers did drop the Sunday finale, they had already secured the series victory.
Roberts has downplayed the results of both series wins and losses in the past, meaning his change of attitude is not solely due to the result. However, knowing that the Dodgers — who had been slumping as of late — can turn on both their pitching and hitting to get through a difficult series is a boost of confidence.
The Dodgers get another chance to keep their focus, as well, as they head home to host the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers.
Dodgers fans take over Yankee Stadium
There was a large contingent of Dodgers fans in the Bronx thanks to traveling group Pantone 294, who organizes multiple trips to opposing stadiums every year. The group also made their presence felt during the Dodgers’ previous visit to Yankee Stadium in 2016 with a roll call.
A flood of Dodgers fans celebrated the team’s extra-inning win on Friday, and more than 5,000 fans showed up for Saturday’s blowout victory.
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