Right now, the Los Angeles are in a dogfight to maintain home-field advantage throughout the MLB playoffs. While a couple games separate them and the Atlanta Braves, how important is it to the man leading the Dodgers to secure the right to play the most games at Dodger Stadium?
Indeed, Bill Plunkett of the OC Register talked with Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts about this subject. While it’s important to Roberts – and it should be – the skipper says it’s not absolutely paramount. And let’s not forget, he’s talked about it before.
#Dodgers notes: "Homefield is huge," Dave Roberts says. But how far will he go to pursue it over the final 15 games of the regular season? He won't "red line" to get it.https://t.co/gL8pVEsmU2
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 12, 2019
First, Roberts appreciates the edge that home-field advantage provides for his club. Still, he realizes that it’s not the end-all. For instance, the Dodgers did not have home-field in 2018 when they were forced to beat Milwaukee in a game seven on the road of the NLCS.
“Home-field (advantage) is huge,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “To try to obtain it at any cost, that’s a bigger discussion. But it’s at the forefront of all our minds to have home-field advantage, 100 percent.”
Equally important – Roberts says the Dodgers will run full-throttle at the goal – but not jeopardize final success.
“I think it’s certainly very important considering how we’ve played at home,” he said, mindful of the Dodgers’ 56-20 record at home (second in the majors to the Astros’ 56-19 (going into their game Thursday). “But there’s still a cost in everything, and I think the main thing is keeping guys healthy, keeping guys sharp, and not trying to ‘red line’ just to win by any means necessary. If we play to our potential, that should take care of itself.”
Obviously, if the Dodgers can just be a few games better than the Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros and New York Yankees from here forward; they’ll achieve the short-term goal. Still – if things don’t bounce their way on complete home-field – nothing is conceded in regards to winning it all.
Finally, how much weight do you put on the importance of playing at home in October?
