The Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed a historic 2017 season that included 104 victories and multiple double-digit winning streaks along the way.
While the end result wasn’t favorable, the Dodgers are well-equipped for another championship run this season. Particularly given their excellent depth and young stars that figure to only improve with more experience.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes the team are in a better position going forward, and that they compare more favorably this time around than last season.
Occasionally, though, teams tend to experience early-season slumbers after going deep in the previous postseason. During an interview with John Hartung of Spectrum SportsNet LA, Roberts admitted that he’s fully aware of the possibility of a World Series hangover, but will work diligently to make sure the players are prepared at the start of the season:
“I think that it’s something we talked about in the sense of, when you start the season, you’re expected to be at that same point as far as being ready for a Major League season. As you were with the regular offseason. It’s something we talked about, making sure our guys are prepared to start the season and get off to a good start.”
The 2016 World Series participants endured a bit of a hangover last season. The Cleveland Indians hovered around .500 through most of June, while the Chicago Cubs entered the All-Star Break with more losses than wins.
Both clubs would eventually turn it around in the second half, as the Indians punched their ticket to the American League Division Series, where they fell to the New York Yankees in five games.
The Cubs, meanwhile, squared off with the Dodgers for another National League Championship Series. Los Angeles went on to dethrone the reigning World Series championships in five games and advanced to their first Fall Classic since 1988.
