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The Los Angeles Dodgers will play within the Nationwide League Division Collection for the twelfth straight season this Saturday. The important thing query because the Dodgers await the winner of the Wild Card collection between the Padres and Braves: can they keep away from one other early exit?
The Dodgers have been shockingly upset in every of their final two NLDS appearances — by their NL West rivals annually, to make issues worse. The San Diego Padres shocked Los Angeles in 2022, whereas the Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off a sweep of the Dodgers in 2023.
The Dodgers can’t afford one other first-round exit, particularly after they dedicated greater than $1.2 billion in salaries final offseason to get the crew again to the World Collection. The crew acquired expertise like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to forestall October heartbreak and convey again extra trophies. Even when there are many accidents to the beginning rotation, there aren’t any extra excuses for the crew this time round.
The Dodgers know higher than to miss their first-round opponent, however they’ve struggled to adapt to the break between the top of the common season and the NLDS. This has particularly been true for the crew’s hitters, who’re used to usually hitting each day in a row.
Dodgers basic supervisor Brandon Gomes broke down a number of the changes the crew is making over their break to make sure they’re prepared for the NLDS.
“We’re going to play some video games on Wednesday and Thursday and attempt to make it in order that our guys aren’t going through our guys,” Gomes mentioned, by way of Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “We’ll have sufficient ‘stay-hot’ guys (gamers who received’t be on the NLDS roster however will proceed understanding in case they’re wanted) or guys from Triple-A, guys which might be on the roster however haven’t been right here. Make it such that we’re not pitching tentatively to one among our personal gamers so guys can get after it extra like they might usually.
“Speaking with our hitting guys, they’re developing with some stuff we’re going to take action our guys can face high-velo and issues they’re going to do to face high-octane stuff between to get further reps,” Gomes mentioned, by way of Plunkett.
The Dodgers start the postseason on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.
Photograph Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities
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