Some rivalries age like fine wine—and some like a barrel of gunpowder. Just when you thought the coast was clear, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stepped back into the conversation with a comment that’s equal parts respect and razor blade. The Yankees? Still loaded. Aaron Judge? Still terrifying. But Roberts isn’t just watching from afar—he’s firing back, and this time, it’s with purpose.
This series against the Dodgers might not have gone as expected for the New York Yankees, but they still have some bright spots. And this is not just us, it was also pointed out by Dave Roberts when asked what he thinks about this Yankees team. He also gave a strong message to Aaron Judge and the Yankees, praising them.
When Roberts was asked this question, the only two things on his mind were the fielding and Aaron Judge. “I think they are considerably better defensively this year. I think they have a lot of depth, and it’s a good ball club… the way Judge is swinging the bat, it seems like he is always looming, you know. But we played well the last couple of days, but it’s a really deep club for me.”
While most of the series might have felt like the 2024 World Series recap, Roberts’ comments kinda put a balance on the debate of which team is better…
Dave Roberts isn’t one to shy away from the spotlight—or from speaking his mind. While he firmly believes the Dodgers are the team to beat, he isn’t blind to the threat looming in pinstripes. The Yankees, led by a red-hot Aaron Judge, aren’t far behind. In Roberts’ words, they’re deep, dangerous, and definitely not to be ignored.
This season, the Yankees look sharper, smarter, and stronger. Their defense has taken a big leap forward. They rank top 3 in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and have committed fewer than 25 errors so far. Their infield conversion rate has jumped to over 72%, showing tighter execution across the board. With the gloves working, the bats are also starting to talk, and one bat is on top.
Aaron Judge continues to terrorize pitchers with every swing, already blasting 21 home runs and posting a 1.083 OPS this season. He leads the league in slugging percentage and sits near the top in RBIs and total bases. The roster is stacked, experienced, and hungry for redemption. But make no mistake—Judge is the engine. If they stay healthy and consistent, the Yankees might finally turn potential into a championship. And maybe—just maybe—silence all the doubters once and for all.
If defense wins games and stars win headlines—well, the Yankees just might win everything.
While Dave Roberts tips his hat to the Yankees, he is not happy with his pitchers
For a team that just cut a check big enough to bail out a small country, the Dodgers probably expected a little more dominance and a lot less drama. While Dave Roberts offered polite applause in the Yankees’ direction, his own bullpen—led by the increasingly mysterious case of Tanner Scott—has him chewing through more sunflower seeds than ever. The Bronx is booming, L.A. is brooding.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has become a rollercoaster—plenty of dips, not enough thrills. Despite heavy investments, consistency has gone missing. Blown saves are piling up like bad Yelp reviews. For a contender, shaky late innings are a silent disaster.
Tanner Scott was signed to shut doors, but lately, he’s been opening them wide. Once dominant, he now carries a 4.56 ERA and five blown saves. His sharp April vanished into a messy May. The meltdown since May 17 has left fans—and Dave Roberts—visibly frustrated.
Roberts didn’t mince words, calling out Scott’s underperformance while acknowledging the pitcher’s own disappointment. He said, “I think, performance-wise, he hasn’t performed the way any of us expected, him included.”
The Dodgers need more than hope—they need a fix. Mixing roles, easing Scott’s load, or a deadline trade may be on the table. Because right now, L.A.’s bullpen isn’t just a weakness—it’s an open wound.
If the Dodgers want to keep chasing championships, they’ll need to stop treating their bullpen like a revolving door. Tanner Scott’s struggles aren’t just a hiccup—they’re a full-on crisis wearing Dodger blue. Roberts’ patience is thinning, and so is the margin for error. Because in baseball, unlike in Hollywood, sequels only succeed when the lead delivers—and right now, Scott’s performance feels like a flop nobody wants to watch.
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