After taking two of three from the Cleveland Guardians, a team that’s fallen out of the postseason picture, the Los Angeles Dodgers road trip continued with a weekend series against the Boston Red Sox.
Not only are the Red Sox still fighting for a Wild Card spot in the American League playoffs, but the three games represented an emotional challenge for Mookie Betts as it marked his first time playing at Fenway Park since being traded to the Dodgers in February 2020.
Fellow 2018 World Series champion Ryan Brasier also was back in Boston, and the Dodgers most notably were seeing Chris Martin, Justin Turner and Alex Verdugo. Kenley Jansen wasn’t available due to his recovery from hamstring tightness.
The Dodgers won two of three games in a series that saw momentum swings for both teams. At the conclusion of the road trip, manager Dave Roberts credited the Dodgers for rising to the occasion against the Red Sox, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“It was a great road trip, a great series. You’re playing in a great environment, team that’s fighting for their life, and we responded with that same intensity. Those were three good ballgames. Each night, each game, it seemed like different guys were picking us up.”
Roberts previously remarked throughout the weekend that the games felt like a postseason atmosphere. Roberts experienced that firsthand during the 2018 World Series, which Betts and the Red Sox won in five games against the Dodgers.
With their two wins, the Dodgers improved to 5-7 all-time at Fenway Park during the regular season.
Dave Roberts surprised by ejection
During the eighth inning of Saturday’s loss, Max Muncy and Roberts both were ejected by home-plate umpire Jordan Baker for arguing balls and strikes.
Muncy was rung up with the bases loaded to help Chris Martin and the Red Sox escape trouble, and flung his bat out of frustration. Jason Heyward was separating Baker and Muncy when Roberts came sprinting out of the dugout, only for that to further exacerbate matters.
The ejection was Roberts’ first of the 2023 season. Both he and Muncy mentioned being surprised by how quickly Baker threw them out.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
