NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: DODGERS VS BREWERS

October 10, 2026

Dave Roberts

American Family Field

Los Angeles Dodgers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Dave, this is obviously a very familiar space for you being back here for the NLCS. Does it bring back memories for you of last year, and is there anything you guys can use from that series to bring into Game 1 or even this series in general?

DAVE ROBERTS: Very familiar. I really don't think there's anything we can use from last year to this year. They're a really good ball club. Similar guys that we're used to seeing, very similar to what we're used to seeing. There's going to be no secrets. They play a very good brand of baseball. Our guys have been in environments on the postseason on the road. So we know what it's going to be like.

Just kind of managing your emotions, playing good ball, that's what it's going to take. There's really no secrets about this series.

Q. Do you have an update on Miggy Ro?

DAVE ROBERTS: I just talked to him briefly, he's in good spirits. We're going to talk to him right now, but as far as the flight, I'm expecting him to be a part of it, be on the roster.

Q. I know you said yesterday a mix of 13 and 13. When you're looking at taking certain relievers, are there certain traits you're going to emphasize more given the length of this series as compared to having several in the DS?

DAVE ROBERTS: I think that length, having a guy that can go two or three, is something where you essentially protect downside on the pitching. As far as handedness, they're pretty balanced. So that really doesn't come into play.

I think for us it's more of who can take down a couple innings if something in a medium to lower leverage situation.

Q. With the starting pitching being what it is in this series, how big of a factor do you expect the bullpens to be and how much confidence does that give you?

DAVE ROBERTS: I think it's different in the sense of obviously with Mis and Henderson, and they've got Dustin and Gasser, but I think that as far as the top two guys are guys that probably Murph's going to give them a little bit more leash.

Whereas I think that our four guys, we'll feel good about giving them a leash. I think that both bullpens are very talented. I'd like to think our bullpen -- getting into whoever's bullpen certainly has an advantage. If we can do that to them versus them doing that to us, I think puts whatever team in a good spot.

Q. Max just mentioned to us -- I think you've mentioned before too -- how normal Tarik is on his start days and how you can't tell the difference from one to another. What does that tell you about him? What do you take from that?

DAVE ROBERTS: I think I take from that is he's just -- he enjoys the moment. I think that where some starters get so focused that everything is just channeled in one kind of emotional big ball ready for their outing, where I think that Tarik is certainly much more approachable, engaging, but certainly has that intensity when he pitches.

I don't think there's one right or wrong way to do it, but it is -- it's actually pleasant to have somebody that you can talk to on his start day.

Q. The Brewers were obviously involved at the trade deadline. How different would this series look if he was on the other side as opposed to you guys?

DAVE ROBERTS: It would look really different. What those guys do, they had the best record in baseball. Certainly when you're talking about a seven-game series, to see Tarik on the other side would certainly -- the series would look a lot different.

Q. When you look back at how the Braves pitched Ohtani last series, did you get a sense they were still being a little careful with him kind of irrespective of how he had looked at the plate over the past month?

DAVE ROBERTS: Yeah, I do. I still think, if he's in the batter's box, he's still a threat. He swung the bat well against these guys last postseason. Their memories -- those pitchers, their memories are long. Now it's just up to Shohei to understand that and control the strike zone. They're just not going to give in to him regardless of how he might be swinging the bat over the last couple months, in my opinion.

Q. And do you have to change the perception of what productivity looks like from him now that he hasn't been slugging but he should be able to get on base still?

DAVE ROBERTS: Yeah, I just think that it's one of those things that for tomorrow it's just get on base, take good at-bats, and we'll deal with whatever. Honestly it's the same message for everyone. Shohei is known for his slug, but when you're facing Jacob, it's just you've got to take good at-bats. If you run into a homer, great. But if you can earn a walk, fantastic.

I think it's more of -- production is just doing anything positive for the club, and we need all guys to do their part.

Q. I know you guys have been joking about being dinosaurs, but in all seriousness, you do have the oldest roster in baseball. I'm curious how you've sort of learned to manage that perhaps different than you have in the past just given their age? How does that manifest for you trying to manage this team?

DAVE ROBERTS: I think the thing that's -- the toughest part about age is the season. I think that that's -- once you manage that and you give guys time off and you get guys off their feet during a game, you play some young guys to keep the older guys fresh, that's the main piece of this.

Once you get through the marathon and you get to the sprint of the postseason, advantage goes to us in the sense of the experience. There's a lot of off days.

For me I don't think age manifests itself in the postseason more so than it does particularly in the regular season.

Q. Last year you guys did such a good job against Chourio, Turang, Contreras, shutting them down. That's part of why you won that series. How much more difficult is that going to be to do this time around considering the strides those guys have made year over year?

DAVE ROBERTS: Very difficult. Chourio is a very underrated player. William is swinging the bat really well. Turang is a heck of a player. Bauers has had a huge year.

They've just got good players.

I think part of it is getting them out -- last year we did a good job of getting leads and trying to keep them at bay and playing from behind, but you never know. It starts with Tarik setting the tone. If we can throw up a couple zeros, catch a lead, then we can sort of build on that. I think that's what we did a really good job of last year.

Q. Another quick one on Shohei. Have you decided if he's going to bat second or be back towards the middle of the order like he was in the DS?

DAVE ROBERTS: I haven't decided on that one. I'm going to think through that one today.