Dodgers News: Don Mattingly Calls Day After Clinch ‘Tough’
The Los Angeles Dodgers were shut out on Wednesday night, a day after clinching their third straight NL West title.
Lineups on the day after clinching are known to be full of backups and rookies, yet the Dodgers put a lineup with more than a few regulars; however, it proved to be more of a facade than anything as they managed just two hits against San Francisco Giants’ right-hander Mike Leake. The Dodgers are in the postseason and while they are technically playing for home field advantage, they are more concerned with being healthy than starting at home.
After the game, manager Don Mattingly admitted the day after clinching isn’t exactly the best day to have a game via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
I think it’s human nature. It’s hard to get going the next day,” said manager Don Mattingly. “The day after is kind of flat. Today’s a tough day. You go through a lot the day after last night, a lot of emotion is built up winning and you spend a lot of energy there. I don’t know if you all feel it, but it’s one of those days and you try to fight it the best you can.”
Outfielder Carl Crawford, who batted leadoff on Wednesday, also felt the day after is a tough day to play via Bill Plunkett of the OC Register:
Yeah, we’re full of alcohol and champagne and stuff like that,” Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford acknowledged with a chuckle. “In the back of your mind, you’re playing for home-field advantage. But you know we’re still in the playoffs.”
Crawford has been around for the last two division titles, as well as clinch days with the Tampa Bay Rays:
We partied all night in the clubhouse last night. Today was one of those days you just try to make it through.”
The Dodgers finish the season with a day game on Thursday followed by three games at Dodger Stadium against the San Diego Padres over the weekend.
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