Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is fully embracing the challenge his team will face when they embark on three-peating this season.
Roberts told Jack Harris of the California Post that he isn’t backing away from the pressure, but welcoming it as L.A. looks to capture its 10th title in franchise history.
“I think it puts it on [the players] and myself and the coaches to keep that incentive to be a team that wins three in a row,” Roberts said. “I have enough trust with our players that when I talk about things like that, they talk about things like that, we’re not gonna run from it … I think our guys really can understand and manage that, and that comes with experience.”
Can the Dodgers Complete a Historic Three-Peat With Their Loaded Roster?
The Dodgers are seeking to become the first team in a quarter-century to complete a three-peat in the sport. L.A. has a great chance to do just that due to their loaded roster. This offseason alone, the Dodgers added two of the very best free agents, outfielder Kyle Tucker and closer Edwin Diaz.
Los Angeles is not just running it back, but they are retooling and doing all they can in order to snag yet another title. If the Dodgers get the job done, it would be Roberts’ fourth title with the organization.
Roberts isn’t the only member of the team who wants all the smoke, but others have been vocal on embracing the pressure.
“It’s something we definitely have to be mindful of,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at the Winter Meetings.
Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts also voiced that they are not complacent.
“I’m ready to get another ring next year,” Ohtani said then.
“It’s time to fill the hand all the way up, baby,” echoed Mookie Betts.
The Dodgers are the favorite to come out on top again, with a 22.2 percent chance to win the World Series according to ESPN.
Outside of injuries, there is zero reason why the Dodgers and Roberts should not come out on top. They have all the tools to reach the mountain top again: a loaded lineup, a deep starting rotation, an improved bullpen, and a stronger defensive outfield.
Roberts has shown he’s the man who can guide L.A. time and time again after years of uncertainty.
