Rojas calls for unwavering resilience and shared confidence. He stresses executing one pitch at a time to combat fear and extend the Dodgers' season.
As the Dodgers prepare for Game 6 of the World Series, facing elimination on the road in Toronto, veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas spoke with the media about the team’s mentality, resilience, and trust in one another as they look to extend their season one more day.
The Blue Jays lead the series 3–2, but Rojas, who returns to the starting lineup Friday night, emphasized that the group’s mental toughness and shared belief remain unwavering.
“We’ve been through a lot in our careers, and everybody knows what they need to do to get back on track,” Rojas said. “I know our offense hasn’t been doing what we’re supposed to, but we have total confidence in every single guy. The most important part is going into the game today without being afraid of failure.”
Rojas pointed out that the Dodgers’ ability to compete daily regardless of circumstance is what has defined them throughout the season.
“It’s not about one guy,” he said. “It’s about nine individuals going with the same plan and trying to attack the other team. Baseball’s a hard sport, and you’re going to have slumps, but putting that aside and just competing the next two days is what makes us really tough.”
Rojas will be a key defensive presence behind starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who takes the mound in the must-win game. When asked about balancing the urgency of elimination baseball with staying loose, Rojas simplified his approach.
“It’s about playing every single pitch with everything you have,” he said. “You don’t know when the opportunity is going to come. The concentration and urgency have to come from being ready every pitch — 27 outs on defense and offense.”
After a grueling 18-inning marathon in Game 3 and a quick turnaround into Game 4, Rojas said the team welcomed Thursday’s off day before flying to Toronto.
“We feel so much better after resting for a full day,” Rojas said. “It’s been a long journey for this organization — from starting last year in Korea to going to Japan this spring — but regardless of what happens, I’m really proud of every guy in this room.”
Rojas also spoke fondly about Dave Roberts, whose lighthearted personality has kept the group grounded amid the pressure. A viral clip from Thursday’s team event showed Roberts taking a spill while racing Hyeseong Kim, something Rojas said lifted spirits in the clubhouse.
“It makes you smile,” Rojas said with a laugh. “When the head of the group is loose like that and willing to do anything for the team, it shows how much he cares. He’ll do anything to spark the team.”
Offensively, the Dodgers’ veteran shortstop said the focus is on simplifying their approach at the plate, freeing themselves from pressing and focusing on execution.
“We’re trying to go to the plate without being afraid of not being successful,” Rojas said. “When you try to do too much, you press. We just need to trust what we do well and not try to be someone else.”
Rojas also praised Yamamoto’s growth from his transition to Major League Baseball last year to now becoming the Dodgers’ ace.
“He’s become the guy — the horse we all knew he could be,” Rojas said. “He prepares for every start like no one else. We expect him to take the ball as long as he can today.”
As the Dodgers look to force a decisive Game 7, Rojas’ message was simple: Embrace the moment.
“Forget about the past and focus on the moment right now,” he said. “That’s all we can do.”