Dodgers face familiar ‘World Series or bust’ question
Cody Bellinger homer gives Dodgers their first walkoff win of season Fire danger is on Dave Roberts’ mind as Dodgers head to San Francisco Dodgers hit seven home runs, sweep Colorado Rockies Despite injury concerns down the stretch, Roberts said reliever Joe Kelly and third baseman Justin Turner would both be ready for Thursday’s Game 1.Kelly threw a 20-pitch bullpen session after throwing just six pitches in one game appearance over the past 13 days.“I got the thumbs up from him,” Roberts said. “So he’ll be ready to go on Thursday, in whatever capacity, whatever role.”Turner missed two weeks with an ankle injury, returned to play four games then missed the final five games of the regular season with a back issue. He took batting practice with the team Tuesday and got at-bats in a simulated game setting against Tony Gonsolin as well.Roberts said the ankle injury has healed and the Dodgers are confident a full week of rest will be enough to address the back.“Everything I get from the training staff, JT – he’ll be ready to go on Thursday,” Roberts said. “Right now where he’s at, I feel very confident he will be able to perform at his level come Thursday.”ALSODodgers shortstop Corey Seager was involved in a minor traffic accident on Tuesday afternoon. As Seager described it, he was passing a car parked on the side of the road when someone opened the driver’s side door. There was damage to both cars but no injuries.SERIES SCHEDULEGame 1: Nationals at Dodgers, Thursday, 5:37 p.m., TBSGame 2: Nationals at Dodgers, Friday, 6:37 p.m., TBSGame 3: Dodgers at Nationals, Sunday, TBA, TBSx-Game 4: Dodgers at Nationals, Monday, TBA, TBSx-Game 5: Nationals at Dodgers, Wednesday (Oct. 9), TBA, TBSx- if necessary “The ultimate goal is to win a championship. I know that. We know that,” Roberts said. “I just think that there’s a lot to get through a major-league season and to have the successes that we’ve had. But we haven’t accomplished the ultimate goal.”That another disappointing outcome in October could invalidate the work put in over the previous six months, however, was not something to which Roberts would agree.“That’s a tough one,” he said. “Obviously, right now where we’re at, what we’ve accomplished, we have a chance to be the best team in Dodgers history. The wins we’ve accumulated this year, it means a lot. … It takes a lot of people to get to where we’re at right now. The ultimate goal is to win 11 games in October. To look at it as a failure – it would certainly be very disappointing.“It’s tough. I’m not taking it lightly in the sense that … anything less than a championship would be unsatisfactory. That goes without saying. But to take away, to say that what everyone in this organization did – from scouts to player development to staff to players to coaches – if ultimately we’re not the last team standing, to say that it was a failed season, I think that takes away from a lot of hard work that people did.“But our only goal is to win a championship. The fans deserve it. The players deserve it. And we are equipped to accomplish our goal.” How Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling topped the baseball podcast empire 
PreviousDave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the media prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)The Dodgers held a light workout on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium as they prepare for their best-of-five NL Division Series against the Washington Nationals. Game 1 is Thursday at 5:37 p.m. PT. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Pedro Baez of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during a workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) SoundThe gallery will resume insecondsDodgers manager Dave Roberts, left, watches the team work out alongside president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers will face the Washington Nationals in a best-of-five NLDS that begins on Thursday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the media prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Enrique Hernandez, center of the Los Angeles Dodgers smiles as the wildcard game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals plays on the scoreboard as they wait to find out who they will play in Game 1 of a National League division series baseball game during a workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Tony Gonsolin of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during a workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during a workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, left, watches the team work out alongside president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers will face the Washington Nationals in a best-of-five NLDS that begins on Thursday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Los Angeles Dodgers workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the media prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Rick Honeycutt #40 of the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Justin Turner prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on as the wildcard game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals plays on the scoreboard as they wait to find out who they will play in Game 1 of a National League division series baseball game during a workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, left, watches the team work out alongside president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers will face the Washington Nationals in a best-of-five NLDS that begins on Thursday. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats as the wildcard game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals plays on the scoreboard as they wait to find out who they will play in Game 1 of a National League division series baseball game during a workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers along with manager Dave Roberts during a workout prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to the media prior to game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 01, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)The Dodgers held a light workout on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium as they prepare for their best-of-five NL Division Series against the Washington Nationals. Game 1 is Thursday at 5:37 p.m. PT. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)NextShow Caption1 of 18The Dodgers held a light workout on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium as they prepare for their best-of-five NL Division Series against the Washington Nationals. Game 1 is Thursday at 5:37 p.m. PT. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)ExpandLOS ANGELES — The question has come to Dave Roberts at this time every year since he became manager of the Dodgers and even to Don Mattingly before him.It is as reliable a part of October as pumpkin spice and corn mazes.“I was waiting on that one,” Roberts said when it was asked of him following the Dodgers’ workout Tuesday night.After the most successful regular season in franchise history (106-56), with the Dodgers a clear favorite to reach the World Series for a third consecutive season, Roberts was again asked if the season would become a failure if the Dodgers don’t win the World Series this time. Newsroom GuidelinesNews TipsContact UsReport an Error Dodgers’ Max Muncy trying to work his way out of slow start In fact, Roberts said this year’s team is better equipped to win a championship than any of the previous three he has managed in Los Angeles.“Experience certainly helps,” Roberts said. “Most of our guys have been through this. There are some young players that this will be new to. I think top to bottom it’s the best team we’ve had. The most important part of it is, you still have to go out there and win baseball games and play good baseball.“But I do think the experiences, the failures as far as getting to the World Series and not finishing, I think that’s at the forefront of all of our minds as far as the carrot out there, the focus.”Roberts said the NLDS roster decisions have been made and the starting pitchers have been informed of the rotation – but he wanted to “keep that under wraps” a little longer. He did say that September call-up Gavin Lux will be on the roster for the NLDS.“He’s earned it and he’s going to play,” Roberts said of Lux, who hit .240 in 23 September games as the starting second baseman against right-handed pitching.Related Articles