Editorials

Dodgers News: Mattingly Views Rest As Key Factor In Home-Field Advantage

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets began Friday tied in the standings with only three regular-season games remaining for both clubs. The Mets had their series opener on Friday against the Washington Nationals postponed to Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. as part of a day-night doubleheader.

Meanwhile the Dodgers won Friday night, and are one-half game ahead of the Mets in the standings entering play Saturday. What’s currently known is Los Angeles and New York will square off in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Friday, Oct. 9.



However, where that contest, Game 2, and a potential Game 5 will be played, is still unknown. Brett Anderson, Yasmani Grandal and Kenley Jansen have all touched on the importance of the Dodgers securing home-field advantage in the first round, which manager Don Mattingly also did on Friday.

“I think that final game — Game 5 or Game 7 situation, you’d like to be at home,” he said. While Mattingly specifically pointed to the benefit of a potential elimination game being played at home, he also sees value in players being in the comfort of their own homes.

“Right now, it would be nice just for the fact that we’d have a chance to be home for a while. Guys can get some rest and get settled in,” the fifth-year manager explained. Mattingly added the Dodgers were a strong home team throughout the season and the general rule of thumb is you’re better served having home-field advantage than not.

Last season the Dodgers hosted Games 1 and 2 against the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS, and split them. The Cardinals went on to win the series in four games. The Dodgers opened the postseason on the road in 2013, split the two games at Turner Field, and advanced to the NL Championship Series behind a Juan Uribe home run in Game 4 of the NLDS.

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