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The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to compete in the National League Division Series this Saturday for the 12th consecutive season. As they await the winner of the Wild Card series between the Padres and Braves, the burning question remains: can they avoid another premature exit?
In their last two NLDS appearances, the Dodgers suffered unexpected defeats at the hands of their NL West rivals. The San Diego Padres stunned Los Angeles in 2022, while the Arizona Diamondbacks swept the Dodgers in 2023.
With over $1.2 billion invested in player salaries last offseason to return to the World Series, the Dodgers cannot afford another early postseason departure. Acquisitions like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were made to prevent disappointment and bring home more championship trophies. Despite facing multiple injuries in the starting rotation, the team is out of excuses this time around.
While cautious not to underestimate their first-round opponent, the Dodgers have struggled with the transition from regular-season play to the NLDS. This has particularly affected the hitters, who are accustomed to playing every day.
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes outlined some of the adjustments being made during the break to ensure readiness for the NLDS.
“We’re scheduling games on Wednesday and Thursday to avoid internal scrimmages. We will have supplemental players staying sharp in case they are needed, as well as Triple-A call-ups and roster players who haven’t been active. This will allow our players to face unfamiliar pitching and simulate game-like situations,” Gomes explained.
Regarding hitting preparation, Gomes added, “Our hitting coaches are implementing strategies for our players to face high-velocity pitching and challenging situations to increase repetitions.”
The Dodgers will kick off the postseason at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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