From a numbers perspective, the 2020 regular season being shortened to 60 games reduces the margin for error and in some sense cuts into the luxury the Los Angeles Dodgers have enjoyed as arguably the deepest team in the sport.
Though, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has also reasoned the club’s depth is just as important — if not more — this year as MLB works to navigate a schedule during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
And while wins and losses may take on the feeling of added significant this year, Justin Turner explained the Dodgers are still keeping with their same measured approach. “It’s always been our mentality as long as I’ve been here, to win one game at a time and take it day by day,” he said.
“Nothing changes in this 60-game season. It’s just as important, if not more important, to focus on today, do what we have to do to win today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. It’s something we’ve been preaching and practicing all along in this clubhouse, so it’s nothing new for this 60-game season.”
Turner’s three-run home run helped the Dodgers snap a two-game losing streak Wednesday. They enter the series opener with the San Diego Padres at 12-7 and a half-game behind the Colorado Rockies for first place in the National League West.
The Dodgers, who are tied with the Chicago Cubs and Rockies for most wins in the NL, have weathered a bit of an uneven start to the season. Pitching and defense have largely excelled but the lineup collectively has struggled.
“It happens every year, that a group of guys aren’t swinging the bat well. We have this conversation every year, every manager does,” Roberts said. “I think the guys are handling it well. We’ve just got to be more consistent about scoring. Runs per game, we’re near the top, so it’s just about going out there and continuing to take good at-bats.”
The Dodgers have won seven consecutive NL West titles went into this season as the favorites to keep their streak alive. Even as they reach the one-third mark of the schedule, there is ample time to take hold of the division.
Milestone week for Turner
Facing the Padres in San Diego and now at Dodger Stadium has come with Turner reaching two benchmarks. First, he set the Dodgers all time hit by pitch record, and this week registered his 1,000th career hit.
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