Dodgers Approaching 5-Day Layoff Before Postseason Differently This Time Around
The Los Angeles Dodgers will play in the National League Division Series for the 12th straight season this Saturday. The key question as the Dodgers await the winner of the Wild Card series between the Padres and Braves: can they avoid another early exit?
The Dodgers have been shockingly upset in each of their last two NLDS appearances — by their NL West rivals each year, to make matters worse. The San Diego Padres shocked Los Angeles in 2022, while the Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off a sweep of the Dodgers in 2023.
The Dodgers cannot afford another first-round exit, especially after they committed more than $1.2 billion in salaries last offseason to get the team back to the World Series. The team acquired talent like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to prevent October heartbreak and bring back more trophies. Even if there are plenty of injuries to the starting rotation, there are no more excuses for the team this time around.
The Dodgers know better than to overlook their first-round opponent, but they’ve struggled to adapt to the break between the end of the regular season and the NLDS. This has especially been true for the team’s hitters, who are used to normally hitting every day in a row.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes broke down some of the adjustments the team is making over their break to ensure they are ready for the NLDS.
“We’re going to play some games on Wednesday and Thursday and try to make it so that our guys aren’t facing our guys,” Gomes said, via Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “We’ll have enough ‘stay-hot’ guys (players who won’t be on the NLDS roster but will continue working out in case they are needed) or guys from Triple-A, guys that are on the roster but haven’t been here. Make it such that we’re not pitching tentatively to one of our own players so guys can get after it more like they would normally.
“Talking with our hitting guys, they’re coming up with some stuff we’re going to do so our guys can face high-velo and things they’re going to do to face high-octane stuff between to get additional reps,” Gomes said, via Plunkett.
The Dodgers begin the postseason on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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