Dodgers Manager Issues Sharp And Significant Message To The MLB Over NLDS Series Length

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently expressed his support for restructuring the length of the National League Division Series in MLB.

Currently coaching the Dodgers in the 2024 NLDS, Roberts has his team just one win away from advancing to the National League Championship Series. Despite the Dodgers finishing the regular season with the league’s best record of 98-64, they faced a five-day gap between the end of the 162-game schedule and the beginning of their NLDS series against the San Diego Padres.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says 7-game NLDS would “absolutely” remedy series flaws

As reported by Sportico’s Barry M. Bloom, Roberts advocates for extending the Division Series from its current five games to seven. He believes this change would benefit league champions by helping them shake off any rust from the near week-long break.

“Right now, I wish it were seven games,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated on Wednesday. “A seven-game series certainly provides a better assessment of the opponents. We’ll see if we can push for that. I definitely prefer a seven-game series.”

When asked if this would address the issue of the five-day wait, Roberts confidently replied, “No doubt, absolutely.”

The injury-stricken Dodgers benefitted from extra rest leading up to the 2024 NLDS

The Dodgers actually gained from the five days off, allowing several key players, including first baseman Freddie Freeman, to recover from various injuries, like his hurt ankle. However, the team’s rotation underperformed in their first three games.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto concluded the regular season on a high note with a 13-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on September 28, where he struck out six and allowed two earned runs. Unfortunately, his MLB playoff debut was less impressive, as he gave up five earned runs in just three innings. Jack Flaherty and Walker Buehler also faced challenges in Games 2 and 3, surrendering four and six earned runs, respectively.

Fortunately for Los Angeles, their power hitters came through and showed no signs of stiffness. Shohei Ohtani has continued to shine as the MVP frontrunner, with Teoscar Hernandez and Freeman adding significant power behind him, and Mookie Betts finally breaking out of a two-year playoff slump.

Should MLB heed Roberts’ advice and rethink the Division Series format? While it’s important to judge one season in isolation, Roberts, who has been managing the Dodgers since 2016 and has taken them to nine NLDS appearances, likely understands what would best benefit each team in the Division Series moving forward, as well as what would enhance the sport overall.

Additionally, as Bloom pointed out, history indicates that league champions struggle in the existing five-game format, with “no National League division winner reaching the LCS under the current playoff system.” Therefore, MLB might want to consider changes to help elevate baseball’s profile in American sports.