Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Talks About What's Gone So Well in August
You're probably aware by now that the Los Angeles Dodgers have found their stride, but when you look at the numbers behind the team's great run, it's honestly staggering.
LA's posted an incredible 22-4 record in August, good for baseball's best record over that time, have overtaken the Atlanta Braves for the top spot in the latest MLB power rankings, and have seen their NL West lead increase from a modest two games to a dominant 13 as of Tuesday afternoon.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sounded off about what's gone so great for his team this month, and he gave a previously struggling unit some credit.
"I think the main thing is the pitching has been much more consistent, I think that's a big part of it. The starters, the guys in the bullpen. And, obviously, Mookie and Freddie have been fantastic."
Dave Roberts via SportsNet LA
Dodger pitching has posted a collective .218 opponent batting average in August, and they've become one of the better staffs in baseball behind Bobby Miller, Lance Lynn, and Clayton Kershaw.
This is in stark contrast to a staff that ranked as low as 26th in the majors in ERA earlier this season.
As for Betts and Freeman, the duo are having arguably their best seasons of their illustrious careers.
Freeman boasts a staggering .415 on-base percentage with a Los Angeles Dodger record 50 doubles, while Betts just overtook Braves OF Ronald Acuna Jr. in the latest NL MVP odds. The do-it-all defender recently hit a career-high tying 35th home run of the season, and he has an NL-leading 1.011 OPS.
With the Dodger offense continuing their great production led by the sport's best 1-2 punch at the top of the order, and a pitching staff that's joined the offense with their reliability, LA clearly looks like World Series contenders.
Teams always want to be in their best form ahead of the postseason, and the Dodgers are definitely there as the regular season quickly approaches its crescendo.
