This World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers is going to be historic. Two old school franchises who haven't met in the Fall Classic since 1916 when a 21-year old Babe Ruth pitched a complete game and won a 14-inning 2-1 duel against Brooklyn's Sherry Smith (who also pitched 14 innings.) What's historic for today's era of Baseball is that this is the first World Series where both participating teams are managed by minority Managers. Alex Cora of the Red Sox is from Puerto Rico where Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts is half Black and half Japanese. That in itself distinguishes this Fall classic from the first and only meeting in 1916. It should be interesting to see how these two former teammates manage against each other. #2018WorldSeries #2018MLBPostseason #PlayoffBaseball #BostonRedSox #Bosox #LosAngelesDodgers #LosDoyers #AlexCora #PuertoRicanBaseball #BeisbolPuertoriqueño #LatinoBaseball #BeisbolLatino #BeisbolBoriqua #DaveRoberts #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackHistory #BlackBaseball #BaseballHistory #HistoriaDelBeisbol #Baseball #Beisbol #BaseballSisco https://www.instagram.com/p/BpSVX8NggFj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qcz0gcgn9suq
The Cardinals announced Sunday morning they have extended the contract of manager Oliver Marmol for 2 additional seasons, bringing him back until the end of the 2028 season.
Shohei Ohtani’s Quiet Bat Still Brings Big Impact: Sports Channel Breaks Down Dave Roberts’ Confidence in His Superstar
Ohtani’s Value Goes Beyond the Box Score
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is keeping his faith in Shohei Ohtani, even as the Japanese superstar endures a rare postseason slump at the plate. Despite hitting just .147 through 34 at-bats — with four hits, two home runs, and three walks — Roberts insists that Ohtani’s impact on the game extends well beyond traditional statistics.
“Him being in the lineup, getting the walks, allowing for Mookie (Betts) to have opportunities to drive runs in — that’s contribution,” Roberts explained ahead of Game Three of the National League Championship Series. “For me, the first two games in Milwaukee, his at-bats have been fantastic. That’s what I’ve been looking for, that’s what I’m counting on.”
Ohtani’s postseason may not yet reflect his explosive regular-season numbers — a .282 batting average, 55 home runs, and 102 RBIs — but Roberts isn’t measuring success solely by hits or homers. As Sports Channel analysts have pointed out, Ohtani’s mere presence in the lineup shifts how opposing pitchers approach the Dodgers, giving his teammates better pitches to hit.
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Finding Rhythm in October
In Tuesday’s 5-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani showed flashes of his usual brilliance, delivering a clutch RBI single in the seventh inning that helped break open the game. It was a timely reminder of his ability to rise when it matters most — something Roberts says will only become more frequent as the series progresses.
“I think he’s in a good spot right now,” Roberts said, adding that Ohtani has handled the pressure and frustration of his postseason struggles with the mindset of a true professional. “He’s obviously a very talented player and we’re counting on him. So for him to realize his own personal expectations, and if they are not realized, then certainly there’s frustration. He’s a great competitor, he’s very prepared, and there’s still a lot of baseball left.”
For fans watching through Sports Channel, Ohtani’s at-bats tell a story of patience and adjustment. He’s seen plenty of breaking pitches and off-speed stuff from opponents wary of his power. But with every game, his timing appears to be sharpening — and with his aggressive approach returning, a breakout performance may be just around the corner.
A Manager’s Trust
Dave Roberts has long been known for his steady leadership and trust in his players, and his support for Ohtani exemplifies that philosophy. Rather than benching or repositioning his star slugger, Roberts has kept him in key offensive roles, confident that Ohtani’s work ethic and mental resilience will eventually produce results.
“He’s waited for this moment,” Roberts said of Ohtani’s playoff journey. “With the rest that he’s had going into Game Four, he’s going to be ready to go.”
It’s not just about the bat, either. Ohtani is expected to return to the pitcher’s mound for Game Four — a major moment for a player who had spent much of the past year recovering from elbow surgery. The two-way phenomenon’s comeback has been closely followed by fans and pundits alike, with Sports Channel highlighting his dual-role workload as one of the most compelling storylines of the postseason.
The Dual Threat Returns
At 31 years old, Ohtani remains one of baseball’s most remarkable athletes — equally dangerous as a power hitter and as a starting pitcher. His ability to dominate on both sides of the game has redefined what’s possible in modern baseball. After being limited to designated hitter duties last season, his return to pitching this year has reignited excitement around the Dodgers’ postseason campaign.
Roberts confirmed that there’s no hard cap on how many pitches Ohtani will throw in his upcoming start. “The century mark isn’t necessarily a ceiling,” Roberts noted. “It’s contingent on how he’s throwing. He’s waited for this moment, and with the rest that he’s had, he’s going to be ready.”
For fans watching via Sports Channel, Ohtani’s upcoming outing could be pivotal — not just for the Dodgers’ playoff run but for his own personal redemption. A strong performance on the mound could remind everyone that even when the bat cools off, his arm can still take over games.
Leadership Through Presence
Even in a hitting slump, Ohtani continues to shape the team’s energy. His leadership style is understated — a mix of professionalism and quiet intensity — but his teammates often describe his influence as steadying. By drawing walks, working deep counts, and maintaining composure under pressure, he sets a tone of resilience for the rest of the clubhouse.
Dodgers players have also credited Ohtani for helping balance the lineup. With him batting in the heart of the order, opposing pitchers can’t easily pitch around Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, or Will Smith, forcing them to attack from the first inning onward.
It’s this ripple effect — one that doesn’t always appear in the box score — that Roberts values most. As one analyst on Sports Channel put it, “Even when Ohtani isn’t hitting home runs, he’s still dictating how every opposing pitcher plays the Dodgers. That’s superstar impact.”
The Mental Game
Every elite hitter faces cold stretches, and for Ohtani, the challenge is balancing his sky-high expectations with the realities of postseason pitching. October baseball is a mental battle as much as a physical one, with top-tier arms attacking weaknesses and exploiting even the smallest timing lapses.
Roberts said he welcomes Ohtani’s frustration — seeing it as a sign of hunger, not defeat. “That’s expected and I don’t mind it. I like the edge,” he said. “He’s obviously very talented, and we’re counting on him.”
That competitive edge is what has defined Ohtani’s career. Whether as a hitter or pitcher, he thrives under pressure. Even now, during a rare offensive lull, the belief within the Dodgers clubhouse remains unshaken: Ohtani is due, and when he connects, he changes games.
The Road Ahead
With the Dodgers up 2–0 in the best-of-seven NLCS, the team has momentum — and they know their superstar will be pivotal down the stretch. If Ohtani’s bat heats up, Los Angeles could be unstoppable. If his pitching return goes as planned, the team’s depth will look even more formidable.
The message from Roberts is clear: patience, trust, and perspective. Ohtani may be pressing at the plate, but his work ethic and preparation suggest that it’s only a matter of time before he breaks out in classic, game-changing fashion.
For now, the baseball world — and every viewer watching through Sports Channel — waits for that signature moment. Because when Shohei Ohtani finds his rhythm, there’s simply no one like him in the game.
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Los Angeles, CA (News4usOnline) - Clayton Kershaw’s official return to the mound didn’t turn out the way he may have wanted to, but it was a return to the field nonetheless.
After missing much of last season, Kershaw took to the mound against the Los Angeles Angels in the second game of a three-game series for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kershaw’s outing came with mixed results. The veteran left-hander and three-time Cy Young winner pitched four innings, gave up five hits, and, more importantly, surrendered five runs in an 11-9 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers’ crosstown rivals.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) takes the mound during the game between the Angels and the Dodgers on May 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire)
“It was kind of a game that there are a lot of hits out there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said afterward. “We couldn't put guys away. There were some, you know, some walks in there, some homers and doubles, and give credit to our offense to continue to fight, make it a game. But unfortunately, we just couldn't make enough pitches.”
Overall, Kershaw came out with some obvious rust. Three of the five runs he surrendered came in the first inning when the Angels jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Kershaw managed to survive that onslaught to pitch well into the second inning. However, when Taylor Ward launched a deep home run off Kershaw in the third inning, the guardrails appeared to be coming off.
Pitching for the first time since August 30, 2024, Kershaw looked shaky for the first couple of innings and was pulled after four innings of work. All in all, Kershaw threw 83 pitches, 48 of them strikes. Despite the early exit, Roberts was encouraged by what he saw from Kershaw.
“I think that the stuff overall, I was impressed with,” said Roberts. “I thought the velocity was more than it's been in quite some time. I thought at times the slider was good. There was some swing and miss early at times. At times, the curveball was good. He mixed in a lot of change-ups, which was good.”
“I think tonight, the command just wasn't consistent, and he got to a lot of two-strike counts, and couldn't put hitters away where typically, that's his hallmark, when he gets count leverage, he can get a strikeout. And tonight, he just couldn't put guys away. And again, I just thought that, you know, the stuff overall, I was really excited about, but just the command, and that's part of obviously, whether it's adrenaline, emotions, not pitching in a big league game, all that stuff,” Roberts added.
For his part, Kershaw also talked about having to be more consistent with his pitches going forward.
“There were some good throws mixed in, but just not enough consistency. So, you
know, just look at it tomorrow, try to figure it out,” Kershaw stated.
Catcher Dalton Rushing put the onus on himself for Kershaw not having a successful night in his 2025 season debut.
The Angels didn’t waste time getting to Kershaw, scoring three runs in the top half of the first inning. The Dodgers managed to give Kershaw some backup play when Andy Pages connected for a three-run home run in their half of the first.
The game was tied until the third inning when Ward took a Kershaw pitch and drove it to the left-field bleachers for a solo home run. And just like that, the Angels were back on top of the Dodgers again. Considering that Kershaw only pitched in seven games in 2024, the rust was there.
The form that was on display against the Angels was hardly the form that won Kershaw the Cy Young award three times. Now in his 18th Major League Baseball season, all with the Dodgers, Kershaw didn’t look like the vintage Clayton Kershaw. That’s going to take a little time.
The Angels managed to get runs in the first, third, and fourth innings off Kershaw. And that would be that. Kershaw lasted four innings. The teams went back and forth all night until the Angels went on a five-run surge in the seventh inning to give themselves the lead for good.
Though he ended his night much earlier than he anticipated, Kershaw is happy to be back on the field.
“First one back and just to be back down here at Dodger Stadium, so it was special for me,” he said.
Featured Image: LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during the first inning during the game between the Angels and the Dodgers on May 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by David Dennis/Icon Sportswire)
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