
Dodgers Manager Dismisses Series With Padres Amid Tight Division Race
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn't embracing the hype surrounding the National League Division Series rematch with the San Diego Padres.
More news: Poaching $116 Million All-Star In Blockbuster Trade Would 'Deepen' Yankees Postseason Rotation
The two NL West teams have not met since their showdown in early October last season. All eyes were fixed on the rivalry matchup as a dynamic Padres lineup faced a Dodgers team that was coming off back-to-back first-round exits.
Would the Padres take down the star-studded Dodgers? Or would L.A. exorcise its postseason demons once and for all?
The NLDS certainly lived up to expectations as the Padres pushed the Dodgers to the brink of elimination in Game 5.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Manager Dave Roberts after Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is thrown out at home plate in the fourth inning during Game Four of the Division Series...
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Manager Dave Roberts after Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is thrown out at home plate in the fourth inning during Game Four of the Division Series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on October 09, 2024 in San Diego, California. MoreHowever, an injury-riddled Dodgers pitching staff managed to shutout the Padres for 24 consecutive scoreless innings to close out the playoff series — the longest postseason drought in over three decades.
Even after the Dodgers had won the World Series, several L.A. players reiterated the importance of the NLDS matchup in their journey through October. To most, the rivalry matchup with the Padres was the pinnacle of the postseason.
Nearly three months into the year, the Dodgers are set to face the Friars for the first time in the 2025 campaign. Heading into Monday night's series opener, the Padres are just one game behind the defending champions in the NL West.
The Dodgers and Padres play seven times in the next 11 days, and the results will surely have an impact on which team will command the division.
Nevertheless, the Dodgers skipper seemed to overlook the importance of the team's upcoming series.
"Outside of it just being a division opponent and us trying to find a way to win a game, it really doesn't have any extra impact," Roberts said Sunday. "I think right now we're not playing our best baseball, but I think that environment is going to bring out the best in us. It's a fun place to play a ballgame. But as far as the stakes, right now, I don't think it has a whole lot."
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stressed the importance of winning the division when he commented on the Dodgers' decision to cut two of their longest-tenured players, Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor.
It's abundantly clear that the Dodgers are focused on winning the division in order to put themselves in the best position for the postseason.
However, Roberts only highlighted how eager the Padres and their fanbase are to welcome the defending champions at Petco Park Monday.
"Those fans, those players get up for playing us," he said. "Obviously the geography part of it, the rivalry part of it – but I do think we do a good job of trying not to put too much emphasis on going into that environment other than playing a division rival, because at the end of the day it comes down to playing good baseball. But it's still fun, though."
More news: Aaron Judge 'Surprised' by Red Sox Rookie's Bold Anti-Yankees Statement
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Dodgers Make Move After Mets Game
Dodgers Make Move After Mets Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Landon Knack (3-2, 5.12 ERA) was having a rough season coming into Thursday's game against the New York Mets, but was coming off two consecutive quality starts. Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, he didn't maintain that momentum. Advertisement Knack coughed up four runs on four hits in just 3.1 innings pitched, adding five walks and just one strikeout. The second-year hurler gave up a solo homer to star slugger Pete Alonso in the second frame and solo homers to outfielder Brandon Nimmo and designated hitter Starling Marte in the third. Infielder Brett Baty added a sacrifice fly before Knack finally finished the inning. The Tennessee native then notched one out in the fourth before walking two batters, and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had seen enough. Los Angeles followed up with a roster move on Friday, via Kirsten Watson. Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack (96)© Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images "Dodgers recalled left-handed pitcher Justin Wrobleski and optioned right-handed pitcher Landon Knack," she reported. Advertisement This season, Wrobleski has allowed eight runs across nine innings in the big leagues. The 24-year-old went 1-2 with a 5.70 ERA after getting his first call-up in 2024. The Dodgers took Knack in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft. The East Tennessee alum got called up last season and went 3-5 with a 3.65 ERA over 15 appearances, including 12 starts. He also gave up six runs over seven postseason innings. New York was up 4-0 on Thursday before Los Angeles put up three runs in the bottom of the third. Alonso followed up with an RBI single in the eighth, but the Dodgers scored three more in the bottom of that frame, giving them a 6-5 lead. Closer Tanner Scott pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the save. Advertisement Related: Mets Receive Big News Before Dodgers Game Related: Mets Fans Upset With News Before Dodgers Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Juan Soto Had 6-Word Pete Alonso Message After Rockies Game
Juan Soto Had 6-Word Pete Alonso Message After Rockies Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Star slugger Pete Alonso is far from done with his New York Mets tenure, but he's already done plenty for them. The four-time All-Star moved into sole possession of second place on the franchise's all-time home run list on Sunday. Advertisement Alonso went 3-for-6 with two homers and four RBI in the Mets' 13-5 win over the Colorado Rockies, giving him 243 career homers. The 30-year-old is now nine long balls away from tying club legend Darryl Strawberry. Alonso is slashing .301/.396/.594 with 17 homers and a MLB-high 61 RBI over 66 games. Fellow star Juan Soto opened up about his teammate's greatness after the victory, via SNY. Mets' Pete Alonso (20).Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images "He's Pete. He's a great hitter," the former World Series champion said. Soto was also effective on Sunday, going 3-for-3 with three walks and three runs scored. New York selected Alonso No. 64 overall in the 2016 MLB Draft. The Florida alum made his big-league debut on Opening Day in 2019, and he led baseball with 53 homers that season. He also earned NL Rookie of the Year, All-Star, and All-MLB First Team honors. Advertisement Alonso returned to All-Star status in 2022 and led the NL with 131 RBI. The 6-foot-3-inch, 245-pounder made his playoff debut that season as well, going 3-for-10 with one homer and one RBI in three games. Alonso also made the All-Star team in 2023 and 2024. The slugger helped the Mets reach the NLCS the latter season, slashing .273/.431/.568 with four homers and 10 RBI in the playoffs. That included a walk-off homer to win their Wild Card series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Related: Rockies Suffer Major Loss Before Mets Game Related: Dodgers Make Move After Mets Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.


Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
MLB Insider Predicts Toughest All-Star Battles in National League
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The time has come for Major League Baseball fans to start submitting their All-Star votes, and one of the biggest debates is which National League first baseman will earn the starting spot. More news: Braves Might Make One Player Available at Trade Deadline: Report MLB insider David Schoenfield believes the competition is between New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. Both Alonso and Freeman have been on quite the tear the first half of the season. The World Series MVP is putting on quite the show as he leads the NL in batting average (.354), is tied for first in doubles with Alonso and Brendan Donovan (20), ranks second in OPS (1.024) and third in OPS+ (189). Freeman, 35, appears to be hitting better as he ages. Meanwhile, Alonso has earned two All-Star selections the last two season despited posting an OPS below .800 last season and hitting just .211 in 2023. The 2025 campaign appears to be unfolding into Alonso's best performance yet in the batters box. Alonso is hitting .301 with 17 home runs, 61 runs batted in, and a .990 OPS this season. For Schoenfield, Alonso being more effective in high-leverage gives him the edge over Freeman. "This is a coin flip, especially because Freeman spent time on the injured list early this season," Schoenfield writes. "Both have also been incredible in high-leverage situations, with Freeman hitting .303/.457/.606 and Alonso even better at .419/.525/.907. That does it for me. Alonso gets the nod." LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 04: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets hits a two run home run in front of Dalton Rushing #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and umpire Jansen Visconti... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 04: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets hits a two run home run in front of Dalton Rushing #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and umpire Jansen Visconti #52, to take a 3-0 lead, during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on June 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. MoreAs for who will be named the National League's third outfielder comes down between James Wood, Kyle Tucker, and Fernando Tatis Jr, according to Schoenfield. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Corbin Carroll get the first two nods, but there's a case to be made for the third outfielder. Tucker is having another superstar season, and while Tatis isn't as hot as he was in April, he is still an elite defensive player in right field. However, Schoenfield believes Wood should get the nod. The second-year outfielder is slashing 270/.366/.533 with 16 home runs this season. Finally, second base is perhaps the most difficult decision to narrow down as there are several elite players in the NL. Schoenfield has the competition coming down to Ketel Marte, Brendan Donovan, Brice Turang, and Nico Hoerner. The various options for the NL starting second baseman is a testament to just how star-studded the NL really is as opposed to a less competitive American League. Schoenfield ultimately votes for Marte, as the Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman has a slash line of .294/.418/.603 with 12 home runs in 39 games. Ultimately, Schoenfield's starting NL lineup for the Midsummer Classic in Atlanta looks like this: C: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers 1B: Pete Alonso, New York Mets 2B: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks 3B: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres SS: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs OF: Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks OF: James Wood, Washington Nationals DH: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers SP: Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates More news: How to Buy Boston Red Sox MLB Stars and Stripes Hats: 2025 Fourth of July Headwear For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.