NL DIVISION SERIES: DIAMONDBACKS VS DODGERS

October 11, 2023

Dave Roberts

Chase Field

Los Angeles Dodgers

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. Dave, yesterday you had mentioned that there could be some lineup changes. With the lineup you put out today, we've seen just that. Can you just kind of take us inside as to what led to this decision and your thoughts on the lineup and where it's at right now with the changes.

DAVE ROBERTS: I think for me, as far as playing Kike over James tonight, it was more of Kike's got a lot of experience and he's taken really good at-bats. I don't think there's going to be much of a cost as far as defense in center field. He's played a ton of center field.

I think for James just to kind of get a little reset, let the game happen, potentially come into a spot to pinch-hit, to play defense, I think would be of benefit.

As far as Will and J.D., I think that J.D. has obviously been taking really good at-bats, and potentially to get him that fifth at-bat. Let the game come to Will in the 5, I think that's a good thing.

I think for me I'm very kind of, not reactionary, but I think there's a point -- and this is the point clearly when you're down 0-2 -- to move things around a little bit. There's not a whole lot of downside or to shake things up. And I think it's a good thing.

Q. We talked to some of the other guys, just about kind of the mentality and mindset heading into this game tonight, this feeling of a sense of urgency. Have you felt that amongst the guys and kind of where they're at in their approach to tonight?

DAVE ROBERTS: I do. I do. I think it's -- I'm in fight mode, and I expect our guys to be too. We got hit in the mouth a couple times, and I expect our guys to fight back.

So we've got to play a good ballgame. We've got to pitch well. We've got to take good at-bats and fight to the end. That's the only way I look at this right now, and I think that those guys feel the same way.

Q. Your rookies, each have had their struggles in the first two games. Were you surprised by that? Is it understandable because of the lack of experience?

DAVE ROBERTS: I think, it's interesting is that you just don't know until you know. They can look in on their side, and some of their young players are playing well -- Corbin Carroll being one. You just don't know.

I think you've just got to make decisions on the information that you know at that point in time.

For me, I just feel like what we've seen and where we're at today, I think this the best way to do it. We've got some other rookies that are going to have opportunities hopefully if we win tonight, that if they get that opportunity, that I expect them to perform.

It's kind of you go with the roster of players you have and hope that they're ready for the moment.

Q. And looking ahead to a potential Game 4, is it still Kershaw?

DAVE ROBERTS: It's Clayton, yeah. It will be Clayton.

Q. And what gives you confidence that he's addressed what he needed to address, that things will be different tomorrow?

DAVE ROBERTS: You know what, I think for me, I believe in Clayton till the end. I think that his track record, the recency of what he's done -- certainly it was the worst outing of his career, but I still believe that there's a good one in there.

I just don't see it any other way, knowing that there's going to be other guys behind him. But as far as starting a potential Game 4, I feel very good about that. I hope I get that opportunity.

Q. Just another question about Kershaw. Do you view it as just, to get the better results this time, as just a matter of execution? Or does there also have to be maybe a change in approach?

DAVE ROBERTS: I think combo. I think it's the combo. I think a change in approach. And I think there's a little bit of execution that wasn't there either. I think that for me he'll be prepared to address both those things.