Magic Johson is betting on Roberts to advance to the World Series and get the Dodgers their first championship in 30 years.
Dave Roberts is on the cusp of history. Roberts is one win away from becoming the third Black American manager to go to back-to-back World Series, and the second to win one. The Dodgers’ manager is trying to walk in the footsteps of Cito Gaston who won consecutive chips with Toronto in 92-93.
TorontoStar on Twitter
Which championship was more difficult to achieve? Were there ever any doubts? What is Cito Gaston up to these days? The former #BlueJays manager answered some questions as the team celebrates 25 years since its back-to-back World Series wins. https://t.co/23i9JiopXL
Roberts lost the World Series in a crushing seven-game dog fight against the Houston Astros in 2017. Milwaukee has him in a similar war in this 2018 NLCS, but following a 5-2, pivotal Game 5 win on Wednesday, LA sits one game from going back to the chip.
Magic Johnson and Co, invested boatloads of money into shaping and reshaping the roster by adding stars, bringing up young talent, and by eventually changing managers. Roberts has grown into his job as Dodgers skipper and has handled the pressure and responsibility of leading one of MLB’s flagship franchises.
Magic badly wants to win an NBA championship with LeBron. Multiply that desire by 10 when it comes to Magic’s dream of becoming a championship owner in MLB. He’s always had faith in Roberts and the Dodgers manager can repay Magic for his faith by winning it all.
Dodger Blue on Twitter
See why Magic Johnson believes Dave Roberts is the right manager for the #Dodgers. https://t.co/lqIdEfLUed
The next round doesn’t get any easier for Roberts who will face either the Boston Red Sox or the defending World Champion Houston Astros in the World Series if the Dodgers can close it out in the next two games. The Dodgers will enter the series as an underdog, no matter who they face.
As a team, the Dodgers probably prefer to get revenge on Houston for last year’s WS loss, but with the way Milwaukee’s been playing, the Dodgers will be fortunate to escape to the next round. If not for some timely hitting and the pitching brilliance of Clayton Kershaw, who has finally arrived in the playoffs, LA could be looking at a deficit in this series.
MLB on Twitter
Puig your electric factory. #NLCS https://t.co/E7wHicpHFX
The Dodgers will need Kershaw to keep this same energy through November.
Los Angeles Dodgers on Twitter
Clayton Kershaw, ladies and gentlemen. https://t.co/3uLrqtRpxe
Roberts lost the strategic battle to A.J. Hinch last season. He’s led the Dodgers to this point with a combination of talent, pitching strength, a generous front office and his pedigree as an MLB champion.
Baseball King™ on Twitter
14 years ago today, Dave Roberts stole second base in game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees and the rest was history. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series ⚾️? https://t.co/9poBkL27Xj
The rest is on him to close the deal, advance to the World Series and get the Dodgers their first championship in 30 years.
