Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
DAVE ROBERTS
Plan for Game 1 workout
“[Monday], most of the guys stayed away, which was great. Today it’s going to be a regular pregame: batting practice, take grounders, get guys moving around. There’s going to be a hitters meeting, guys are going to get in the weight rooms, pitchers will play catch. There might be a couple bullpens; I think Tony Gonsolin is going to throw a ‘pen. But outside of that, nothing too formal.”
How many more postseason roster decisions are left to make
“We’re pretty much there. There’s a couple more decision, a couple more tougher conversations that we’re going to have to have. By the end of this workout, I think everyone should know their fate.”
How do Dodgers match up against Brewers
“I think we match up well against anyone. As far as the Brewers specifically, this is a team that relies heavily on pitching; starting pitching, bullpen, they match up really well. They’ve had position players that have performed over the years that haven’t had the season they’re used to, but still very dangerous. A lot of respect for Counsell and his staff.”
Make sure Christian Yelich doesn’t beat you
“You kind of throw out the stat sheet once you get to the postseason, and understand he’s still a superstar player. Ryan Braun has been an All-Star perennially, so you’ve still got to pitch these guys carefully and execute pitches. If we do that and prevent runs, we’ll be fine.”
Game 3 starter
“I think for us, we still have some options. It’s nice knowing that you have Walker and Clayton going in Game 1 and Game 2. However you want to use those relievers — you’re speaking specifically to Julio, Dustin and Tony, to then have those guys ready in any one of those games and see how (Games) 1 and 2 plays out, I think we’ll know more then. Right now we’re just trying to keep it open.”
Have better understanding what Brewers might try since faced them in 2018 NLCS
“I just think you’ve got to expect anything. It’s kind of the gamesmanship, whether it’s getting a lineup late, or throwing a pitcher for one hitter and going to the ‘pen. I don’t know what their game plan is, but we’ve just got to be prepared for anything. I really like the way offensively, with the guys that can handle both and the way we structure our lineup, we can sort of combat anything.”
Talked to Cody Bellinger or Max Muncy about starting fresh in postseason
“I don’t think that I needed to have that conversation. I think they’re both excited, like everyone else, to start this new season. It certainly is healthy and helpful when the stats don’t matter and it’s just about playing to help your team win a baseball game. This is a crazy year with the regular season shortened. I just love the guys we’ll be running out there this series.”
Good at scoring late this season, how important is it to have lead against Brewers bullpen
“It’s really important. Especially with this bullpen, they’re going to rely heavily on those two guys (Hader and Williams), I’m certain of it. So to get a lead early or in the middle innings, I think is imperative. I don’t see those guys losing too many games late with those two arms.”
What gives you confidence Cody Bellinger turned a a corner
“I see some balls hit on a line to left-center, I see some balls hit hard up the middle, I think he’s taking his walks. Those are things that show me it’s trending in the right direction.”
Terrance Gore on postseason roster
“There’s a good chance. I don’t know when it’s supposed to be official, but I like what Terrance is doing.”
Given all the challenges this season, does World Series or bust mindset take stronger hold
“First of all, it’s a great show of accomplishment and a lot of people deserve a lot of credit for us getting to this point. Specifically to the Dodgers winning a championship, I think it’s kind of World Series or bust every year. This year, I think it’s more special, if it could even be possible. We’ve all gone through a lot; the whole industry has. Right now, we’re just focused on the Brewers and we’ll see what happens.”
Lineup won’t be so platoon-heavy, does that negate Brewers’ potential strategy
“I think so, especially the first six hitters that we run out there every night. To kind of stagger left and right, to have the guys that can hit both, certainly protects us a little bit more.”
Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager don’t have good postseason history, absorbing that this year
“I think the depth all the way around, and you mention Cody and Corey, it’s just growth. Corey, a couple of them came in hurt and didn’t play, was banged up going into the postseason. I think Cody is just continuing to get experience and I really expect him to perform; whatever that means. But also, we just have a lot of good players, that no one or two players need to carry us.”
Preparing for team you didn’t face during the regular season make it different from other years
“A little bit. You’ve kind of got to go back through some video since you haven’t really seen them up close and personal. I think guys change year to year a little bit. We haven’t seen Devin Williams; seen a lot on video but to see him firsthand would’ve been helpful. But they have that same dilemma. We’ll see how it plays out. It’s going to be a fun series.”
What has Walker Buehler done since final start of regular season
“He’s thrown a couple bullpens, covered, and it’s been really good.”
JUSTIN TURNER
How much confidence do you have this is roster that Dodgers will finally win World Series with
“I think from Day 1, we talked about how exciting our club was and how much we enjoy each other, playing together and going out and competing. I think that was pretty evident. You could see that in the 60-game abbreviated season and I think we’re all looking forward to getting this postseason started.”
Any more confidence knowing how deep lineup is
“I think that’s a mentality that we have as an offense. It’s not just one through nine, I think it’s anyone on the roster we know is going to be able to go up there and do their job. If they make a mistake, put a good swing on it and do some damage. If they don’t, be able to take a walk and pass the baton to the next guy. I know there’s been a lot said about our season and all the home runs we hit, but we also took a lot of walks and found other ways to score runs as well. That’s something that definitely comes into play in the postseason.”
Walker Buehler for Game 1, then come back with Clayton Kershaw in Game 2
“I think it’s pretty clear and evident that there’s no lack of confidence in Walker Buehler’s game. Over the past couple years whenever we’ve needed a big start out of him — whether that’s Game 163 or a playoff game — he answers the bell. Excited to have him out there tomorrow, and when you hand the ball over to Clayton for Game 2, we’re feeling pretty good.”
After coming back from inured list, what game were you able to trust making baseball moves
“I don’t know. I felt pretty confident in it the whole time. Just being able to kind of govern where I feel and how I feel that day, not trying to push it too much to the point where I would re-injure it. I felt pretty good all along. Just wanted to make sure we kept taking steps forward every day, and I feel like I’m in a pretty good place right now.”
You, Mookie Betts, Corey Seager compliment each other well at top of lineup
“I think it’s something that our entire order takes pride in, and that’s grinding out at-bats and making guys work. Like I said earlier, if you make a mistake early in an AB, we have a lot of guys that can hurt you with one swing and are in scoring position while they’re standing in the batter’s box. But also at the same time, we do a really good job of staying in the zone and making guys work. That’s part of the reason why our offense has been as successful as it has. With Mookie at the top kind of setting that tone, it has a trickle down effect. These guys can put together some really good at-bats.”
Anyone in particular help you stay in the moment, handle postseason pressure
“Growing up I played in travel ball tournaments, Mickey Mantle World Series, Connie Mack World Series, College World Series, postseason in Minor League Baseball. I’ve been in a lot of important games. But if there was one person that I’d give a lot of credit to on trying to mentally hone in and be present for the postseason, that would be Ken Ravizza, who we unfortunately lost a couple years ago. He was our sports psych at Cal State Fullerton, I took a couple of his classes and he just really talked about the mental side of baseball and life. He was huge for my career and being present, being able to let go of the bad stuff, move on and get back to the next pitch.”
No longer concerned about completing season
“I think obviously there’s a lot of protocols and things we’re allowed to do, not allowed to do, getting tested every day. I would say it’s been a pretty successful season getting to this point and getting to the playoffs. I was probably in that category where I was optimistic we were going to have a season, but there was definitely some doubt whether or not it was going to happen. So to be sitting here today, watching playoff baseball as the American League kicks off their Wild Card round, I would say we did a good job. I commend everyone for taking it serious, being responsible, making good choices and allowing us to get to this point.”
More of a World Series or bust attitude this season considering all the obstacles and challenges
“I think every year we come here we expect to win a World Series. You’ve got to go through those sacrifices and those risks to get the opportunity to win a World Series, so yeah.”
Feeling more urgency to win World Series given age and contract status
“I think it’s the same urgency as every season. When we show up to Arizona for Spring Training, the goal is to win a World Series. Nothing has changed this season. We’re here to win, we have a lot of guys with a lot of experience, who are all just as hungry, just as eager as I am. I learned a lot from Ken Ravizza about being present. One of the things that kind of destroys that focus is looking ahead to the future, so I try not to do that. I try to worry about today and when tomorrow comes, worry about tomorrow.”
Haven’t thought much beyond this season
“I have not. I’m worried about this year, winning games and bringing a trophy back to Los Angeles.”
Difficulty in preparing for team you didn’t play
“It’s a little different, a little challenging. Usually we would have played them in a home series and away series, and be able to have some stuff to go back on. A lot of those guys over there, we haven’t got a chance to see and we probably have some guys on our club they probably haven’t seen either. That’s the world we’re living in in 2020. Can’t use it as an excuse, you’ve got to be as prepared as possible, go up there and find a way to get the job done.”
Hamstring injury feel 100% or still working to get there
“I feel great.”
Playing strong defense
“We take a lot of pride in our defense and positioning. Dion does a great job with the infielders, Georgie does a great job with the outfielders, putting us in the best spots to make as many plays as possible. We have a great pitching staff and guys that take pride in catching the ball behind them. Obviously in the postseason, the team that throws the most strikes and takes care of the baseball on defense, usually has the most success, so we’re going to have to do that on this journey.”
WALKER BUEHLER
Rich Hill said prepare so you don’t have to rise to the moment, it rises to you
“I don’t know if there’s anything different about what I try to do in the playoffs or a big game. I think I’ve been very lucky and fortunate to be in some big spots before I got into pro ball. I got a fewer tester runs, I guess. (Game) 163 was a big point for me, and then failing in Atlanta was big for me. It’s not like I’ve done this for 10 years, but I feel pretty comfortable with what I’ve done in the playoffs previously. I just want to keep that going.”
Learn as much from failures as you do successes
“I think you learn a lot more. Out of success, I think you can become more confident or the nerves kind of take a step back, because you’ve done it before. But I think when you fail, you have to kind of re-assess and then that confidence is kind of built from the ground up. I just got lucky in ’18 to be on a team with the guys that we had. We lost a game in Atlanta, and Rich Hill came out and dominated the next night. No harm, no foul, we moved on to the next round. I threw bad at home against Milwaukee and then I got another chance at it. I think the biggest thing is I’ve just been on some really good teams that when I failed, it hasn’t cost us. I kind of said that all year with myself, especially earlier in the year. I don’t think that’s changed very much. I’m just happy that we’re here.”
Look forward to facing Brewers again
“I don’t think it’s a team-specific thing. Obviously, that being two years ago, there’s a lot of new faces on both sides. We’re just going to go and try and win a couple games and get out of here.”
Tandem with Clayton Kershaw for Games 1 and 2
“I couldn’t ask for anyone better to be in that kind of tandem with. Clayton has been here and done this a lot of times, so I’ve learned a lot from him and happy to have him going forward.”
How is blister
“It’s fine.”
What have you done since final start of regular season
“It’s one extra day (of rest), so pretty normal for us. I haven’t really changed anything from what I normally would do.”
Difficulty preparing for team you didn’t face this season
“For me, regardless of who we play, early in seasons you haven’t played a team yet or whatnot, and in a normal season you’ll play everybody but you’ve got to play them one time the first time. We kind of stick with the same kind of data set or however you want to call it, a number of at-bats we scout off of, and just look through it and figure out how we want to attack certain guys. I don’t think not playing a team really dictates a whole lot that way.”
Do you feel added pressure to keep Brewers off board so Dodgers can take early lead
“Obviously the bullpen is a strength for them and we remember that from 2018 as well, but they have good starting pitching over there. I think more than anything we’ll just focus on trying to go and make a good start. We have faith and trust in our offense to do what they do. I think we’re more focused on our side of the ball.”
Pitched through family loss last postseason, disappointment of being eliminated
“Obviously it was a tough time last year for our family. I don’t know if anything would replicate that or if it’s even really applicable, to be honest with you. We’re here to win baseball games, and that’s what we’re focused on. Going through anything like that is going to change you in some way, but I feel good, confident and ready to go.”