Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke about the Dodgers’ Wild Card series opponent, the Cincinnati Reds, ahead of the opening game of the best-of-three series on Tuesday.
The Reds snuck into the final Wild Card spot, making up five games on the New York Mets and claiming the spot after the Mets’ loss on the final day of the season.
“It’s a greedy group, a hungry group. It’s certainly a younger group, and we can’t take these guys lightly,” Roberts said. “These guys are coming in to win a series and they’re feeling good about themselves, so we’ve got to focus on ourselves and take it to them.”
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The Dodgers have had a solid season against the Reds, sweeping them in their most recent series at Dodger Stadium and winning the season series 5-1. They outscored the Reds 30-15 during those games.
The Reds also made history with their team this season, becoming the first team to make the playoffs in a non-shortened season without a qualifying batter hitting above .270, a batter hitting 25 homers, a pitcher winning 15 games or a pitcher logging 200 strikeouts.
Despite the clear talent difference between the clubs, Roberts is staying cautious.
“You don’t play the game on paper, so we’ve got to have that edge we’ve talked about,” Roberts said.
“They can pitch and they’re athletic. They’ve got a great manager who’s won a couple championships. We’ve got to be ready.”
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Roberts also held belief in his team, though, as they have been playing exceptionally over the past couple of weeks. The Dodgers went 9-2 in their final 11 games of the season.
“I think the way we’re playing right now, it doesn’t matter who we play.”
The Dodgers will look to get off to a good start against the Reds in the opening game of the series Tuesday at 6:08 p.m., and will have Blake Snell on the mound, who has allowed three runs or less in all but one of his 11 starts this season.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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