By completing a two-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers punched their ticket for a National League Division Series matchup against the San Diego Padres.
The best-of-five showdown, however, will not take place in Southern California. The teams instead will meet at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, which is one of the four ballparks hosting games this week as part of MLB’s postseason bubble plan.
The other three stadiums that will be in use are Minute Maid Park (Miami Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves), Petco Park (New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays) and Dodger Stadium (Houston Astros vs. Oakland Athletics).
With Dodger Stadium serving as the site of the American League Division Series, a few changes have been made to accommodate the Astros and Athletics.
According to Hannah Keyser of Yahoo Sports, Dodgers fans cutouts behind home plate were removed, but remain in other parts of the ballpark:
As part of its conversion to a neutral site for the ALDS, Dodger Stadium removed dodger fan cutouts from the dugout club behind home plate, but not the rest of the stadium. Also each team sent their preferred batting practice playlist to be played when they are the “home” team.
— Hannah Keyser (@HannahRKeyser) October 4, 2020
By removing the cutouts of Dodgers fans behind home plate, Dodger Stadium is complying with MLB’s request for a neutral site. Petco Park, Globe Life Field and Minute Maid Park presumably were asked to do the same ahead of their respective series.
Roberts getting used to Globe Life Field clubhouse
As the Dodgers eye their first World Series championship since 1988, they hope their stay in Texas is a lengthy one. But in order for that to happen, the club will have to get used to playing in a new ballpark and adjusting to a different clubhouse.
“It is odd,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of being in Texas. “I don’t know who cleaned out my office. I got a text from Mark Kotsay who is their (Oakland Athletics) quality assurance coach and a good friend of mine.
“I just told him lead Bob to my wine. I’ve got high-end liquors in there, some whiskeys, I’ve got some cigars. What’s mine is theirs. I didn’t lock it up. I don’t know if our clubhouse staff did. They can help themselves to whatever they want.
“As far as in Woody’s office, nothing against my office at Dodger Stadium, but I feel like George Jefferson. I’ve moved on up. This office is unbelievable, this facility is unbelievable, and Woody left me a nice note and some family pictures.”
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