Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Sends Clear Message to Team as Final Month Begins

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows that his team has left more to be desired than what they have shown since July.

LA’s record of 25-27 since July 1 isn’t quite reminiscent of being the defending champions of the baseball world, especially given the fact that the San Diego Padres are 31-22 in that same span. With a divisional lead that was as big as nine games (and as recent as July 3), Roberts spoke on the mindset his team must have for this final month of regular season play.

“I hate going backward and talking about last year, but when you’re playing a long season, you’re defending champions, people are coming after you, which we know and understand,” Roberts said before…