Roberts preaches championship focus as Dodgers prepare to clinch the NLCS. Shohei Ohtani takes the mound for a potential World Series berth.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from returning to the World Series, but manager Dave Roberts isn’t allowing anyone inside his clubhouse to get ahead of themselves. As the Dodgers prepare for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Roberts emphasized the same message that has defined this season: consistency, preparation, and humility.
“I think it all started in spring training,” Roberts said during his pregame media session on Thursday. “From day one, this group had a way of approaching every day — same mindset, same focus, whether we’re up three-nothing or down three-nothing. That consistency is what’s put us in this position.”
That “same mindset” will be tested tonight, as Shohei Ohtani takes the mound for the Dodgers in a potential clinching game. The two-way superstar has pitched sparingly this postseason, but Roberts has no doubts about his readiness. “He’s built up. There are no limitations tonight,” Roberts said. “This is his opportunity to make his mark on this series, and I expect to see his best effort.”
For a team chasing its third title in six seasons, the Dodgers’ path hasn’t been without a fair share of struggles. Injuries to key arms like Brusdar Graterol, Evan Philips, and others forced the team to lean heavily on depth and internal development, something Roberts credited to “organizational design” rather than pure luck. “You have to be willing to invest in guys getting healthy and not push them too early,” he said. “It’s a credit to our entire group — the staff, training department, and players — for trusting that process.”
Roberts also brushed off outside criticism that the Dodgers’ success stems from financial muscle. “There are always critics,” he said. “Our ownership invests back into the team, and that’s what fans should want — a group that’s willing to compete and give them the best product possible.”
With a 3–0 series advantage, the Dodgers are in rare air, though Roberts knows how quickly momentum can flip. “It’s certainly better to be up three than down three,” he said, referencing his famous stolen base in the 2004 ALCS. “But we’ve got to put these guys away. Don’t give them any hope. We found some hope back then — I don’t want history repeating itself.”
Roberts’ club enters Game 4 looking composed, confident, and complete, the result of a season-long buy-in from top to bottom. And as he’s reminded them repeatedly, there’s still one more game to win.
“Reflection comes later,” Roberts said. “Right now, we’re focused on getting the job done tonight.”