Dodgers aim to overcome bye-week struggles with increased intensity | Sports

Facing a 3rd straight postseason that can start with a five-day bye week — and nonetheless reeling from the early eliminations that adopted the primary two the final couple of years — the Dodgers modified up some issues forward of their Saturday opener within the best-of-five National League Division Series.

As opposed to the final two years, once they performed full scrimmages on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday forward of the NLDS — having gotten a bye by means of MLB’s wild-card spherical as a top-two seed within the NL bracket — the Dodgers opted for a extra “gradual build-up,” in accordance to basic supervisor Brandon Gomes, ready to ramp up to recreation motion till nearer to Game 1 at Dodger Stadium.

The workforce is also incorporating “different technologies,” Gomes mentioned (like a Trajekt Arc pitching simulator that was put in at Dodger Stadium this yr), in addition to extra batting follow classes off high-velocity machines to put together for the form of pitching they count on to face.

But actually, the largest distinction the membership has seen up to now is in its gamers’ mindsets.

Unlike the final two years, they didn’t coast into the postseason, as a substitute enjoying significant video games — together with a division-clinching win towards the San Diego Padres, a possible NLDS opponent — deep into September.

And once they reconvened at Chavez Ravine on Tuesday, supervisor Dave Roberts rapidly observed a “different level of intensity.”

“I see some more hunger, I see some more edge,” Roberts mentioned on a video name. “That kind of sour taste that you have when you make an early exit from the postseason, our guys are tired of it. So this is another opportunity. I do sense that edge.”

Roberts mentioned the very best instance got here Tuesday evening, when the workforce held a player-organized watch celebration of the Padres-Atlanta Braves wild-card recreation, an concept that originated with Will Smith, Max Muncy and Miguel Rojas, in accordance to the supervisor.

Not solely did it imply the roster was “sacrificing time with their family” throughout a uncommon break of their busy schedule, Roberts famous, but additionally, because the workforce started scouting its two potential opponents, Roberts was “hearing about guys not caring who we play, [that] they’ve got to beat us.”

“We have a lot to prove,” Roberts mentioned, regardless of his workforce’s 98 wins, most within the majors. “A lot of people have certainly doubted us, and so I think our guys have kind of embraced that. And I like the edge. I like that hunter mentality from us.”

This week there’s additionally been a better concentrate on getting a few key gamers wholesome.

First baseman Freddie Freeman (sprained ankle) and shortstop Rojas (adductor tear) have been going by means of baseball actions, Gomes and Roberts mentioned, and stay on monitor to begin in Game 1 — even when they may not be 100%.

Roberts famous that Rojas’ damage has bothered him for a lot of the yr, doing little to stop a .283 batting common, his greatest since 2020.

Freeman’s ankle, in the meantime, probably can be “limiting” on the bases and defensively at first base, Roberts acknowledged. However, the Dodgers’ confidence in him is so excessive, they haven’t but had Muncy take grounders at first as a possible Plan B.

“There’s not many guys that I would bet on more than Freddie, on posting and playing well,” Gomes mentioned. “So we’ll take the next few days and continue to see how that goes.”

Pitching plans

As anticipated, Gomes mentioned the Dodgers will begin Jack Flaherty in Game 1 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2. Beyond that, the workforce hasn’t made any selections on its beginning workers, although Gomes famous that Walker Buehler and Landon Knack “will play big parts” of what they do on the mound.

Also, Gomes reiterated that the Dodgers don’t anticipate utilizing Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher within the playoffs. Ohtani will proceed his throwing program, however it has but to be determined if he’ll face any hitters in dwell batting follow throughout October.

Kershaw replace

Clayton Kershaw continues to be “not currently” shut to dealing with hitters, Gomes mentioned, because the veteran left-hander continues to nurse a toe damage that has saved him out since late August.

“We’ll continue to see how he’s progressing along,” Gomes mentioned. “I think we all know Kersh. If it gets to a point where he feels like he can go, he’ll go. But no, currently, he’s not any closer.”

Roster selections

Gomes mentioned the Dodgers haven't but determined how they'll divide their 26-man NLDS roster between pitchers and place gamers.

In a shorter five-game sequence, the Dodgers might go for a 12-man pitching workers, which might allow them to carry an additional place participant (like defensive heart discipline specialist Kevin Kiermaier). If the membership sticks with a 13-man workers, it might open a pathway for not too long ago called-up rookie right-hander Edgardo Henriquez to make the workforce.

Gomes was additionally requested about Tony Gonsolin, who made three minor-league rehab begins late within the season in his restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure, however Gomes didn’t point out that he's presently within the membership’s plans.