Despite winning a third straight National League West title in 2015, the Los Angeles Dodgers failed to advance past the NL Division Series for a second time in as many years. That led to a mutual parting with Don Mattingly as manager, and the eventual hiring of Dave Roberts.
He arrived without previous managerial experience, but Roberts’ naming as manager was met by a groundswell of support and positive messages. All the while learning the ins and outs as a rookie manager, Roberts was forced to deal with a record number of injuries.
His enthusiasm and positivity were ultimately credited by several players for the Dodgers overcoming the countless injuries and erasing a deficit to the San Francisco Giants in the NL West standings.
Los Angeles went on to defeat the Washington Nationals in five games to advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2013. Their playoff run falling two games short of reaching the World Series.
The Dodgers re-signed Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner and Chase Utley to return much of the same core from last season. Logan Forsythe, Franklin Gutierrez and Sergio Romo represent newcomers expected to make a difference.
“Success, I think we expect to win the World Series,” said Roberts when asked by Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter what would be a successful 2017 season for the Dodgers.
“Last year the Cubs got off hot, and I’ve said it numerous times, the best team won last year. I like our club, I like our depth. There’s kind of the unsatisfied, bitter taste in your mouth from the nucleus of guys that have returned. There’s that confidence that we have. We’ll be in the mix. I think to your question, we just want to continue to get better every day and build on what we did last year.”
Roberts’ response falls in line with Clayton Kershaw’s ‘World Series or bust’ remark in August 2014, and Corey Seager’s recent assertion the Dodgers’ goal should always be to win the World Series.
Los Angeles was recently given the third-best odds at 10-1 to win the World Series this season by online oddsmaker Sportsbook. The Cubs are the favorite to repeat at 15-4 odds, while the Boston Red Sox hold 6-1 odds.
Last November, the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook listed the Cubs as the favorite to repeat, with 3-1 odds. They were followed by the Dodgers, Nationals and Red Sox, who tied for second-best odds at 10-1.
