The stage is set. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are playing in the National League Division Series for the third time in postseason history.
The two clubs last met up in the 2022 NLDS when the Padres won the series in four games. Prior to that, the Dodgers defeated the Padres in the 2020 NLDS in a three-game sweep en route to their World Series championship.
It’s also the third time the Dodgers have clinched a bye through the Wild Card Series, which has been the case every year since the expanded postseason began in 2022. The Dodgers are thus far 1-6 in the NLDS when given a bye through the Wild Card.
Taking nearly a week off from playing competitively and trying to flip the switch back on for the Division Series is a real challenge. Although a small sample size, the first-round bye has not been favorable to clubs against teams that played the Wild Card Series, which have won five of the eight Division Series matchups over the last two years.
The Dodgers have been trying to find ways to change their fortunes with their physical preparation, but manager Dave Roberts has also seen a mental change in his players.
“I see some more hunger, I see some more edge. I like that,” Roberts began. “Not to say guys weren’t prepared, trying or cared, but there’s a different level of intensity. That kind of sour taste that you have when you make an early exit from the postseason, our guys are tired of it and this is another opportunity. So yeah, I do sense that edge, which I love.”
The Padres are favored by some heading into the NLDS, and that seems to have struck a nerve in the Dodgers clubhouse, providing extra motivation to the team that won the NL West division by five games and finished with the top record in MLB.
“Hearing about guys not caring who we play, they’ve got to beat us,” Roberts added. “We’re the team with the best record in baseball. We have a lot to prove, we have a lot to prove. A lot of people have certainly doubted us, so I think our guys have kind of embraced that. Again, I like the edge, I like the hunter mentality from us.”
Whether the extra intensity translates to the field or not remains to be seen, but the Dodgers already stepped up to take two of three from the Padres with the division on the line, providing some hope for their future games.
Dodgers watch parties for Wild Card Series
One other thing the Dodgers did was hold team watch parties during the Wild Card games for their players to help keep them focused on baseball during their off time and keep the clubhouse strong.
“Guys coming together with the watch party, sacrificing time with their family — which is obviously most important — but at this time of year there’s got to be some sacrifices and bonding,” Roberts said. “It’s initiated by the players, which is most powerful.”
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