The Los Angeles Dodgers wrapped up their homestand after three games against the Colorado Rockies, then quickly had to pack up for an immediate road trip to the East Coast.
This comes on the heels of a prior six-game slate against the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets, that came at a tough spot for the Dodgers. Despite the travel, they hold a sizable lead in the National League West, allowing for some bumps.
Winning two-of-three from the Rockies this past weekend after a sweep of the Mets has them feeling right, but the Dodgers note that the travel is a bit peculiar, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Is it a little weird going back to New York a couple days (after being there)? I think it’s a little weird, but what are you gonna do? You just gotta go and keep going,” catcher Austin Barnes said.
Because every Major League team plays each other, the amount of division games is reduced. This means for increased travel and varying game times, plans, and wear and tear:
“My look at it is there’s no point in putting bad energy into it,” Barnes said. “We can’t change the schedule, it is what it is. Obviously we have it pretty good as major league baseball players. Travel, even though it wears on your body a little bit, it’s tough but it’s part of the job.”
Veteran players of the Dodgers are accustomed to this new schedule, seeing the only effects in getting themselves in a good position to be available, health wise. Barnes echoed that, saying it’s all a part of being a big league player:
“Your body, it takes a little bit to adapt back and forth, but we’ve been doing it for a while,” Barnes said.
Their matchups with the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees are also difficult matchups, adding to the pressure of ensuring they’re all ready to go.
As star-studded of a lineup as the Yankees have, the Dodgers having an added day off leading into the back-to-back series’ is impactful.
Will the toll of traveling impact the Dodgers?
The Dodgers have been scuffling offensively, and will need a kickstarter with the bats to instill a great deal of confidence.
Still dealing with bottom of the order woes, the usual suspects remain impactful in their high and low points. The travel day is where the team will have needed to lean into when they line up their pitching against the Pirates and Yankees.
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