Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made his weather preference clear for Saturday’s Game 1 of the NLDS.
The Dodgers have home-field advantage against either the Atlanta Braves or the Philadelphia Phillies, and Games 1 and 2 are set for Saturday and Sunday, but Game 1’s time is still to be determined.
Dave Roberts wants to play at night
Game 1 of the NLDS for the Dodgers will be played either at 1 p.m. PST on Fox if the San Diego Padres advance or at 6 p.m. PST on FS1 if the Chicago Cubs advance.
For Roberts, the difference is notable, given how hot it will be.
“I would probably prefer to play at night, but as far as who we play, I really don’t think we really care,” Roberts said.
“It’s going to be a hot week, and to play at night would certainly be more beneficial.”
Dodgers NLDS Forecast
According to The Weather Channel, Dodger Stadium will be 100% sunny with minimal cloud cover on Saturday, and temperatures will be around 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
On Sunday, it will be 99 degrees Fahrenheit, with sunny skies and minimal cloud cover.
Additionally, AccuWeather described the conditions as “very hot with blazing sunshine.”
In terms of wins, there will not be many, just 2 MPH on Saturday and 5 MPH on Sunday
How can the weather impact the players?
MLB players are world-class athletes who have trained their entire lives to be on the field, rain or shine, and play through the toughest conditions.
An earlier start time will create shadows, making offense harder to come by and increasing the chance of outfield mistakes.
In terms of pitching, heat increases the risk of blisters, and pitchers may struggle a bit with the sun beating down on them.
The Dodgers boast a team full of veterans who have seen it all, and they’ll feel confident in their ability to handle everything.
