The MLB postseason got underway Monday, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are still awaiting to learn who they will face in the National League Division Series. Dave Roberts, the skipper of the Dodgers, is stressing the urgency of the postseason to his team as they prepare to defend their title. The Dodgers earned a bye through the Wild Card round as a result of finishing as the No. 2 seed in the NL behind the Atlanta Braves. They will host either the Milwaukee Brewers or Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS, which begins Saturday at Dodger Stadium.
While the Dodgers would be the favorite over both those clubs on paper, the postseason has always shown that nothing goes according to plan. After winning a franchise-record 111 games last year, the Dodgers were shockingly eliminated in the NLDS by the San Diego Padres, a team they had no trouble with during the regular season. Some of that may have been due to the randomness of October, but it also seemed like the Dodgers played with less emotion amid more of an easygoing temperament compared to the Padres.
“I think if I can say one thing that might be tangible is, I am going to push the urgency part of the postseason,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said of how his approach would change this October.
The Lesson from 2022
In the 2022 postseason, the Dodgers’ early exit was a wake-up call for a team stacked with talent. Dave Roberts, known for his steady and calm demeanor, recognized that sometimes, a more urgent approach is needed to conquer October baseball. In the aftermath of their surprising loss to the Padres, Roberts took it upon himself to analyze what went wrong.
Roberts noted that the Dodgers played with a sense of complacency that was absent during the regular season. The team that had dominated their division looked out of sorts in the NLDS. This year, Dave Roberts is determined to change that narrative. He understands that the postseason is a different beast, and complacency can be the kiss of death.
The Urgency Factor
Dave Roberts’ focus on urgency is a strategic move. He knows that in the postseason, every at-bat, every pitch, and every defensive play counts more than ever. Urgency can be the spark that ignites a team to perform at their best when the stakes are highest.
Roberts has been working closely with his coaching staff to instill a sense of urgency in his players. The message is clear: every game, every inning, every moment in the postseason matters. It’s about leaving it all on the field and not taking anything for granted. The Dodgers have the talent, but they need the mindset to match.
Setting the Tone
Dave Roberts’ leadership is instrumental in setting the tone for his team. His calm and composed demeanor may have its merits, but he recognizes that sometimes, a more fiery approach is necessary. In his recent interviews, you can sense the determination in his voice as he talks about pushing his team to be at their best in every game.
Roberts is known for his ability to connect with his players on a personal level. He understands their strengths and weaknesses, and he knows how to motivate them. This year, he’s motivating them with a sense of urgency. The Dodgers have come too close to the ultimate prize in recent years to fall short again.
The Road Ahead
As the Dodgers await their NLDS opponent, Dave Roberts’ emphasis on urgency will be put to the test. Whether they face the Milwaukee Brewers or the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers will need to be at the top of their game from the first pitch. No more taking their foot off the gas.
The postseason is unpredictable, but one thing is for certain: Dave Roberts is determined to lead his team with a sense of urgency that will hopefully propel them to another World Series title. It’s a lesson learned from the past, a recognition that October baseball demands a different level of intensity.
In conclusion, Dave Roberts’ quest for postseason intensity with the Dodgers is a storyline to watch as the 2023 NLDS unfolds. The lessons from their surprising exit in 2022 have been absorbed, and the team is gearing up for a different kind of postseason run. With Roberts’ leadership and a renewed sense of urgency, the Dodgers aim to recapture the glory that has eluded them in recent years.
Leave a Reply