The Los Angeles Dodgers got back in the win column with a 9-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Roberto Clemente Day.
Prior to the game, manager Dave Roberts held a clubhouse meeting with his players to address the team’s recent struggles. The Dodgers entered Sunday having lost six of their last nine games and seeing their lead in the National League West standings shrink.
The recent skid coincides with the rough news that Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw likely won’t pitch again this season due to respective elbow and toe injuries.
Roberts reminded the group that he still has high hopes for them and believes they can be successful in the postseason, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
Despite all the injuries to their pitching staff, all the questions about their roster depth, and the seemingly steep path they’re facing with October on the horizon, Roberts reminded the room that he still believes.
Roberts felt it was important to reassure his players amid the negativity surrounding the team:
“I just think there are certain times in a season that it’s a good reminder for the guys to know how good they are,” Roberts said. “But you also have to play like it too. So I give those guys credit. The coaches have done a great job preparing these guys. It was good to play an overall really good baseball game.”
Mookie Betts added that Roberts was trying to spread positivity to the team:
“[He was] just putting confidence in us, that’s all,” Betts said. “Telling us we’re still good. Just instilling to keep fighting, keep fighting and things will turn eventually.”
Roberts’ message seemed to resonate with the Dodgers as they pulled out a comeback win behind a seven-run ninth inning that included back-to-back-back homers by Teoscar Hernández, Tommy Edman and Max Muncy.
It was the second time in as many weeks that L.A. hit three consecutive home runs, with Edman, Will Smith and Muncy combining for the accomplishment against the Chicago Cubs.
The Dodgers will now look to secure a series split over the Braves on Monday before continuing their road trip with a three-game series against the Miami Marlins.
Dave Roberts ‘still confident’ in Dodgers
Roberts’ speech to the Dodgers clubhouse came on the heels of expressing confidence to reporters that the team can still accomplish their goal of winning the World Series despite all of the injuries.
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