After a rough road trip, the Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back by defeating the Kansas City Royals on Monday night in Tarik Skubal’s home debut at Dodger Stadium.
It was the start of a seven-game homestand for the Dodgers, who are surely happy to be back in Southern California amid their worst stretch of the season. The club entered the matchup having dropped eight of nine games and three consecutive series.
“Yeah, I think so,” manager Dave Roberts said when asked if returning home provides the Dodgers an opportunity to reset. “Being at home for a week, I think we’re all excited about that. But reset, turn it on.
“Just kind of thinking about it on the plane yesterday, we’re a Wild Card team right now. We got to get going and play with urgency. I think that we got to make sure we don’t get ahead of the playoff situation and talk about winning now, winning today, and winning tomorrow. So I think that’s the thing we need to get to, and then deal with whatever result.
“But I think that’s part of the ‘we’re going to be okay,’ and ‘we’re good.’ That’s not good enough, and clearly it’s not given how we’ve played over the last month. We put ourselves in this position. A lot of talent, but I think that across the board, we need to play with more urgency, and our guys know that.”
The Dodgers have been inconsistent in all facets of the game lately, with poor performances from their offense, rotation and bullpen contributing to recent losses. On top of that, Roberts has noticed a drop-off in effort and called on the team to play with more intensity.
“I don’t know. I don’t know the answer,” Roberts said of the Dodgers’ lack of urgency. “I think that sometimes we all need reminders. Everyone’s trying, but I think the effort could still be enhanced, improved and more focused. So yeah, I think it’s just a reminder.
“It’s a good reminder, but there’s plenty of time. We’re plenty good, but we got to play like it.”
Miguel Rojas sent a similar message to the Dodgers over the weekend, and they responded with a win on Saturday before losing the rubber match against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Dave Roberts wants to manage ‘more urgently’
In addition to wanting his players to show more urgency on the field, Roberts also acknowledged his responsibility to match their energy as a manager.
“Well, I think we can talk about it, but I can manage accordingly,” Roberts said. “In games where you might give guys certain opportunities, or a leash, we’re playing to win that game, that night, and managing more urgently, I think, is part of it too.”
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