NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 11, 2022

Dave Roberts

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. Dave, just first, has there been a conversation that you've had with the guys as they prepare for Game 1 of the DS today?

DAVE ROBERTS: No conversation today. We had a conversation about a week ago when we announced the Campanella Award, and it just sort of happened organically having the guys in the room and just kind of looking out, appreciating what opportunity we do have and what it's going to take to accomplish our goal.

It starts tonight, and you can't win 11 games in one night, so it's about going out there and playing our best baseball tonight to win a game.

Q. If you could just speak to the weirdness of the last couple of weeks. Six straight against the Rockies and then the layoff.

DAVE ROBERTS: Certainly different. I think the great thing about our guys is there are certain things that you just can't control. Obviously, the lockout and the late start was the reason for that. Certainly not ideal.

We got through it. As far as the days off, it was a reward. I think you can look at it any way. I think we got the most out of the time off.

There were some guys that were nicked up. We got them to health. I thought we did a great job. The coaches did a great job of getting the pitching lined up, starters, guys in the pen, position players some at-bats. So it was some good banter, but also, most importantly, good focus, and we got a lot out of it.

Last year I thought we were taxed going into the postseason, and rightfully so. Right now we feel good right where we're at and very prepared.

Q. What made Trayce the choice in left field today?

DAVE ROBERTS: I just think that, with what we've seen from Trayce, there's been consistent at-bat quality. I like the outfield defense. Having Joey on the bench potentially, I like that weapon.

And with C.T., he hasn't logged a lot of at-bats here in the last three weeks. So we've got about ten at-bats, something like that, here in the last few days.

Definitely going to be viable here in this series, but right now I just feel good with Trayce and just the at-bat quality.

Q. So is Chris not available tonight?

DAVE ROBERTS: Oh, he is available. He is available. He is ready.

Q. What made the decision to leave Craig off the postseason roster?

DAVE ROBERTS: Yeah. It was a tough conversation. It's a person, a player I have so much respect for. It hasn't been a consistent year for him. He accepted the role of getting out of the closer's role as a professional and was hoping and looking forward to an opportunity here in the DS.

We just have other guys that we felt had been more consistent and that match up with these guys better. Not to say that it can't change. My expectation, our expectation, is that Craig will be ready.

But we wouldn't be here without him. I can't say enough about the character of Craig Kimbrel because, as a potential Hall of Famer, that's not an easy conversation. He was very disappointed, as he should.

Q. What kind of role do you envision for Dustin? Is it only going to be bulk, or can he go and kind of leverage spots out of the pen? How do you think you can use him?

DAVE ROBERTS: I think I would say I don't see him being viable tonight. That's one thing. But as far as giving away too much, I think that I could sit here and say he is going to be bulk. But if the series takes a different turn and he is the best option at that point in time, we're going to use him.

Dustin is open to whatever we need.

Q. That's because he pitched Sunday?

DAVE ROBERTS: Yeah.

Q. Then putting Vargas on over Hanser, how did that decision play out?

DAVE ROBERTS: Hanser took it like a pro. Hanser's value to the people that have followed us, it's been amazing what he has done for our ball club, on the field, in the clubhouse.

I think sort of the thought behind it is Vargas is a hit tool, the bat to ball, and the foot speed. With our roster, we've got a lot of coverage infield-wise, outfield-wise, but to have somebody that can run like him, that the bat-to-ball to potentially drive in a run, we feel really comfortable with that.

Q. Keeping up with the roster decisions, you must be confident then as well as the front office that Blake Treinen is healthy enough to go out there and pitch multiple times I guess in a series? Obviously not back-to-back. If something were to go wrong, is that where Craig would step in in that situation?

DAVE ROBERTS: Yeah, that's certainly the hope, obviously, that nothing does go wrong. With Blake, the training staff, we feel very good that he can go out there and post. The recovery, he recovered really well. I don't see an up-down right now. I don't see a back-to-back, but again, that could all change given how he feels. But it's a really good sign that he feels confident that he can go out there and pitch for us.

Q. Given that he hasn't thrown since September 4th, over a month, would you throw him into a high-leverage situation right away, or do you want to give him more of a runway?

DAVE ROBERTS: I don't know that answer yet. I will say that he has closed a World Series game out. He is a veteran, so I don't think that the moment is going to be too big for him, so I'm not concerned about that.

If it's that particular moment, I can't predict that, but I do know that I feel confident in whatever position he is in.

Q. Speaking of the moment, the expectation is that this franchise is playing in October. You've had the build-up, the anticipation. Do you still allow yourself to kind of wake up and relish this moment and get excited?

DAVE ROBERTS: I'm really excited. I don't show it, but inside I'm thrilled. I really am. I don't do a good job of that because all I'm thinking about is beating Clevinger and the Padres tonight. But when you look back, it's pretty remarkable.

Andrew said it a few weeks ago. It's like if you can't kind of enjoy these moments, what are we doing this for? Really proud of our entire organization. Excited for the fans. I just want to win tonight.

Q. Quickly, with Chris Taylor's return, do you see him more playing left field or kind of some more infield, that utility role? How do you see him?

DAVE ROBERTS: I think with C.T. it's a combo. It's second base. It's potentially center field, and it's potentially left field.

Q. Quickly, will Hanser Alberto be allowed on the bench?

DAVE ROBERTS: He will. Thank goodness he will. Hopefully he is banging the side of his helmet a lot with his fist. That would be great.

Q. A year ago Clayton wasn't available for you guys, and there was a lot of uncertainty going into the offseason about his future. What's it like seeing him throughout the season, not just pitching, pitching well, bouncing back the way he did, and having him available for you guys in October?

DAVE ROBERTS: I've, fortunately, had the good fortune of spending a lot of time with Clayton. Maybe not feeling it as much as him and Ellen last year and the injuries that he has had, but I felt it. I felt for him.

So for him to kind of go through the offseason and bet on himself and bet on the organization to get back to this point, I'm excited for him. He has just brought so much to our team, to the organization on the field, but I can go down a list of guys that he has impacted, whether it's by conversations or by actions. To have one of the best pitchers of our generation on our ball club, taking the mound tomorrow, cement already a great legacy, it's pretty fun. It's great.

I'm enjoying the ride. I'm enjoying that. You know, getting to kind of tag along with Clayton's journey. That's been fun.

Q. A lot of organizations, if they had this kind of uncertainty at closer in October, might be unsettled whether it was because of how they're going to handle the 9th or maybe the depth they had in front. This isn't the first time you guys have had that in October. Why does that work here where it might not in other places?

DAVE ROBERTS: Yeah, I think the simple answer is 1 through 13. I just don't think that teams can compare with the arm talent that we have.

So guys that finish games for us this year, previous years. Yeah, we don't have that dedicated closer, but I do think that with the arm talent, the buy-in from these guys, the culture that they have, it's like they just -- they're ready to take the ball and take down whatever part of the lineup when called upon.

A lot of good players that are just not afraid of the moment. I trust them all, Bill. Yeah, it's not kind of the standard or, whatever, conventional, but I feel confident in whoever we're going to run out there in the 9th inning.

Q. Dave, you guys were kind of on the other side of this last year coming into the DS where you were coming off the Wild Card. Maybe not at full strength pitching staff-wise. To have Julio going against what is kind of their No. 4 starter, how important is this first game to take advantage of that opportunity and the fact you guys did get the buy-in to this round?

DAVE ROBERTS: It's important. We're obviously facing a team that's coming off a big emotional win against the Mets. We're very familiar with these guys.

So to have one of our aces take the mound, Clev will go out there and compete and give it all he has. When Julio takes the mound, we expect to win. That doesn't change tonight.

Thanks, guys.