Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made a bold claim in spring training and many around the league have taken note.
On March 24, Roberts joined the Dan Patrick Show where he boldly claimed that his team will win the World Series this season.
The belief that his team can win it all isn't surprising. What is surprising, is proclaiming that so publicly, providing teams with bulletin board material throughout the season.
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Both Giants players and manager Gabe Kapler have already responded to the claim, downplaying its significance in an already heated rivalry.
MLB Network's Chris "Mad Dog" Russo joined NBC Sports Bay Area's Laura Britt and Rich Aurilia on Giants Pregame Live this week where he discussed Roberts' bold claim and the Dodgers' World Series chances this season.
"Well first off, I was surprised," Russo said. "That's not his way to automatically say 'we're going to win a world championship.' Listen, they're going to be there in October, we all know that. They're going to have a chance to win those 12 or 13 games. They probably will have one of the top-two, three records in the National League and give them the automatic entry with the new playoff system in the divisional round.
"They're going to need a pitcher ... [Walker] Buehler, [Julio] Urias, [Clayton] Kershaw, they're going to need another pitcher. To me, they need another starter but they have the resources to get one so they probably will get one. They have a heck of a lineup but we all know that baseball is a crapshoot in the month of October. They have as good a chance as any."
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Of course, Roberts' claim does not come without merit. The Dodgers, on paper, are one of, if not the best team in baseball. Their star-studded lineup and top end of the rotation will make them one of the favorites to win another championship this fall.
"If Derek Shelton of the Pirates said that then it's like ' oh okay now we can really have some fun" Russo added. "You know they are going to be in the postseason in October anyway and who is going to remember that he picked the Dodgers to win the World Series? They'll be in the mix, they'll be in the conversation and they're probably going to be the favorite. What I make of the favorite right now in the National League, I don't love their starting pitching but they're as good as any team and that includes us (San Francisco). I was surprised."
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Roberts and the Dodgers had a loaded roster in 2021, ultimately finishing second to a 107-win Giants team and losing to the eventual World Series champion Atlanta Braves in the NLCS.
They've also had impressive rosters in years past, winning the World Series in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season while falling short in multiple years prior.
We'll have to wait and see if Roberts' prediction comes to fruition.