The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a series win over the Colorado Rockies with a 4-0 victory in the finale on Sunday at Dodger Stadium as part of a three-game homestand.
The Dodgers have now won five of their last six games dating back to the tail end of their previous road trip when they swept the New York Mets at Citi Field to conclude an East Coast road trip.
After their short stay at home, L.A. is now set to begin another six-game road trip across the country that will feature series against the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees.
“We haven’t,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered when asked if he experienced a short homestand between two East Coast road trips before.
“I’m sure there’s some reasoning behind it, but I think with the balanced schedule now, there’s some things that are different for everyone.
“Some teams are playing 16 in a row, some teams have got to play six on the East Coast and fly back to the West Coast for three and then go back to the East Coast. It is what it is. We’re not going to overthink it.”
MLB implemented the new balanced schedule last season that requires all teams to play each other, regardless of their league or division.
Roberts admitted that he has managed differently to account for the weird quirks. “I think we have,” he began. “The biggest variable is starting pitching and to kind of manage those guys. I think we’ve done a great job of inserting guys and giving guys extra rest.
“Trying to manage playing time a little bit, I think we’ve done a nice job of that. But like I said, going forward, the off days will make more sense. I’m going to get C.T. in there in Pittsburgh, so that’ll be good.
“I think overall, pitching, position-player wise, it’s been good and we’re going to get some guys back in the coming weeks as well.”
Dave Roberts looking forward to next Dodgers homestand
After the six-game road trip, the Dodgers will return home for series against the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. “We can kind of catch our breath a little bit,” Roberts said of the team’s upcoming schedule.
“I thought two days ago we were a little sluggish. It is what it is. [Saturday], I thought we came with a lot more energy. Once we get through this one, we have an off day heading back to the East Coast, and then six days later we get another off day.
“So the schedule going forward is really going to be manageable. It’s good to see as far as days off, the toughest part is essentially behind us.”
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