LOS ANGELES — The champagne had barely dried on the clubhouse walls when Dave Roberts dropped a line that sent a shockwave through Major League Baseball. After the Los Angeles Dodgers punched their ticket to the 2025 World Series, Roberts — usually calm, measured, and diplomatic — let his confidence roar.
“We still have so much the world hasn’t seen yet,” Roberts said with a smirk. “This team isn’t finished. Not even close.”
It was the kind of statement that sent both fans and rivals buzzing. The Dodgers, who just defeated the Atlanta Braves in five games in the National League Championship Series, are now back in familiar territory — the Fall Classic — for the first time since 2022. But this time, the energy feels different.
The Ohtani era has redefined what dominance looks like in Los Angeles. Shohei Ohtani, who delivered a historic Game 5 performance with two homers and eight strikeouts, was once again the centerpiece of the Dodgers’ victory. His two-way brilliance, paired with the relentless hitting of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, proved too much for the Braves’ pitching staff.
Yet, as the players celebrated on the field, Roberts’ tone hinted at something deeper — a mission, a statement, and maybe even a warning.
“Everyone doubted us after April,” he continued. “We had injuries, we had critics, and still, this group believed. That’s the beauty of this clubhouse — no one here flinches.”
And indeed, the Dodgers’ road to the World Series wasn’t easy. The team lost Will Smith for part of the summer due to a lingering hand injury, saw Walker Buehler’s return delayed, and had to navigate inconsistent starts from the bullpen. But just as the doubts grew louder, so did their resolve.
The Dodgers finished the regular season with 103 wins, the most in the National League, and carried that dominance into the postseason — outslugging and outlasting every opponent in their path.
Ohtani, whose leadership has quietly anchored the team, credited Roberts for maintaining faith in the group when adversity hit hardest.
“He never let us panic,” Ohtani told reporters. “Even when things got tough, he reminded us who we are. That’s the kind of leader you want in October.”
Now, as Los Angeles awaits its World Series opponent — either the Houston Astros or the New York Yankees, who remain locked in a tense ALCS battle — the Dodgers’ confidence borders on something bigger than momentum. It feels like destiny.
Freddie Freeman, holding back a grin as reporters pressed him on Roberts’ comments, added fuel to the fire:
“If you think you’ve seen our best,” Freeman said, “wait until next week.”
The city of Los Angeles, still buzzing from Ohtani’s MVP-caliber postseason, is ready for another parade down Vin Scully Avenue. But for Roberts, this isn’t just about another title — it’s about legacy.
He’s been questioned, criticized, and even doubted through past postseason heartbreaks. But in 2025, he seems to have found the perfect balance — blending analytics, heart, and leadership into something special.
“People think they know this team,” Roberts said before walking off the podium. “But trust me — they haven’t seen anything yet.”
As the Dodgers prepare for the World Series, one thing is clear: this isn’t just another October run. It’s a statement — a bold declaration that in the heart of Hollywood, the biggest show in baseball is just getting started.
And if Dave Roberts is right, the rest of MLB might not be ready for what comes next.
Leave a Reply