As the Los Angeles Dodgers gear up for their 2026 season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, manager Dave Roberts is radiating excitement rather than pressure. In his pregame chat, Roberts made it clear that while the buzz around the Dodgers’ potential is loud, it isn’t the driving force within the clubhouse.
Roberts downplayed any anxiety, stating, “It’s more excitement to get going. Our players are excited.”
This reflects a team that’s focused on balancing the external hype with a disciplined internal approach. While there’s plenty of chatter about a potentially historic season, Roberts emphasized that the team’s focus remains on the immediate task: winning today’s game.
A poignant moment came with the decision to start Miguel Rojas at second base for his final Opening Day. “I told him the other night, and he got pretty emotional,” Roberts shared.
“This means a lot to him, his family, and the fans. Most importantly, I think he’s a great option for today.”
On the mound, the Dodgers will rely on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with Roberts expecting him to stick to his game plan. “Get ahead, use his entire pitch mix, and compete,” Roberts said confidently. “We’ve seen enough to know he’s ready.”
While there’s been chatter about win totals and chasing history, Roberts was quick to dismiss any obsession with numbers like 116 victories. “That’s not our North Star,” he pointed out. “Our goal is not how many games we win in the regular season - it’s bigger than that.”
Instead, Roberts highlighted the importance of team cohesion. “This is as complete a team as I’ve had,” he noted.
“The talent, the way they’ve come together - it’s special. But we still have to go out there and play.”
And when it comes to the Dodgers being labeled as baseball’s “villain,” Roberts is ready to embrace it. “If that’s what they say, I guess I’ll embrace it,” he said with a smile.
“People like a villain. That’s probably respect in some way.”
As the Dodgers take the field, their focus is clear: play the game, embrace the journey, and let the results speak for themselves.