Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Talks David Ortiz and Facing the Red Sox

The Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Boston Red Sox for 3-games this weekend as David “Big Papi” Ortiz farewell tour continues. For Dodgers manager Dave Roberts the Red Sox bring a different range of emotions as the skipper prepares to face his former team.

The Dodgers are two games back of first place in the NL West and will look to keep pace with their rivals from up North. For Roberts he’s keeping the team focused in the final months of the season.



“Those guys are playing well … it’s another team we want to beat,” Roberts said in an interview with TWC SportsNetLA reporter Alanna Rizzo.

“It’s hard to win a major league baseball game … We haven’t faired well against some below .500 teams and we faired well against some teams that are above .500 and it’s like that’s why to try and dissect that is hard”

Going into the series vs. the Red Sox the Dodgers were coming off a win vs. the Colorado Rockies. They will play at Dodger Stadium for 9 games and with Ortiz coming to town the Dodgers seem to be excited to play host.

“I like the way we are getting him in a national league ball park … when they come to Dodger Stadium it’s going to be a packed house, it’s going to be a lot of fun, it’s going to be a lot of energy.”

A big crowd is expected on Friday, as the Dodgers will host a pregame ceremony. In his last visit vs. the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Ortiz received a standing ovation from fans in his last at-bat.

Revisiting the Dodgers/Red Sox Blockbuster Trade 4 Years Later

This season with the Red Sox, Ortiz is batting .311 avg, racked in 25 home runs and 87 RBIs.

https://youtu.be/oDtIe-Cfmlk

When it comes to “Big Papi” Roberts has a soft spot for the 20-year veteran.

“I love his energy, everyday he’s positive, he’s contagious he makes people around him laugh and makes them better/accountable but this guy works. He is a tireless worker and I think that people feel like that it comes easy to David but he works his tail off, but he’s a great teammate and win or lose he’s still positive”

“I’m looking forward to getting a big bear hug and i think he’s going to lift me about 3-feet off the ground.”

Ortiz has devoted 20 seasons to the MLB batting .285 avg, 528 home runs and 1,728 RBIs. Rizzo went on to ask Roberts if he believed Ortiz was a Hall of Famer, Roberts responded “absolutely.”

“I think that obviously he doesn’t play a whole lot of defense, but there is a spot in the lineup for a designated hitter … and he’s as good as there’s ever been.”

The Dodgers will close out the series vs. the Red Sox on Sunday and the Dodgers will give out a special promotion to the first 40,000 fans.

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Elisa Hernandez

Sports enthusiast serving as DodgersNation.com host/reporter. Proud USC graduate in a CA state of Mind. Dodgers, Lakers, Broncos, Trojans and Kings fan! I have a million jobs, but you guys are my first priority <3 Tweet me @EHernandezTV. SUBSCRIBE: www.youtube.com/DodgersNationTV

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