The Los Angeles Dodgers went from being on pace to break the MLB record for most wins in a single season to making franchise and MLB history with their downward spiral that’s spanned more than two weeks.
They enter Tuesday’s game with the San Francisco Giants mired in an 11-game losing streak and in a 1-16 stretch. The losing skid is the longest in Los Angeles franchise history, while the Dodgers also became the first team to both win and lose 15 of 16 games in a single season.
Justin Turner recently dismissed the Dodgers’ best overall record and called them the ‘worst team in baseball‘ at present time. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has maintained his confidence and patience throughout the skid.
“We’re going to win the division. I can assure you of that,” he said after the Dodgers were swept in a second consecutive series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and dropped a then-season high seventh straight loss.
But after a loss to the Giants that included two rain delays and a bullpen which failed to protect multiple leads, Roberts said the proverbial manager’s seat has become a bit uncomfortable, per Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“I wouldn’t say uncomfortable, but — ” Roberts said, then paused. “Yeah, maybe a little more uncomfortable. I think that’s honest.”
Despite his comments, the 2016 National League Manager of the Year doesn’t figure to be on any sort of hot seat. After all, the Dodgers are still in position to clinch an unprecedented fifth consecutive National League West title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
When the San Diego Padres extended manager Andy Green’s contract in August, Roberts said he was not at all focused on the terms of his deal. The Dodgers hired Roberts on a three-year contract, with a team option for a fourth season. As it stands, that would take him through the 2019 season.
