“If I don’t win the World Series, I’m fired” - Dave Roberts opens up on harsh reality and Dodgers crucial season ahead as challenges continue

Dave Roberts and the Los Angeles Dodgers have one goal this season, to win the 2024 World Series. Since the offseason, the spotlight has been on the Dodgers squad, especially after the team spent more than one billion acquiring some of the top players.

After all the hype and with Shohei Ohtani on the team, the franchise is highly expected to win the World Series. That being said, a significant amount of pressure mounts on Roberts to guide his team beyond the postseason. The Dodgers have been unlucky with their postseason run in the past few years.

However, 2024 is no easy season for the boys in blue, as a World Series appearance seems to be a must. In an interview with Foul Territory, Roberts touched upon the challenges, trolls, and the harsh reality of his job.

Despite winning several games and leading the NL West Division, Roberts receives much criticism. When asked about such issues, the manager opened up saying that he stays away from social media. Roberts also discussed the possible consequences if the team fails to win the World Series.

"I think that if you look at World Series or Bust, or if I don't win the World Series, I'm fired. All I can do is I know my players respect the way we go about it, I go about it," Dave Roberts said.

Roberts said that a postseason victory is a must and his expectations to make it past the postseason are pretty high.

"I don't let it get to me too much because I love what I do. It is harder now because there's a lot more scrutiny and even when you win, there's still a fire Dave Roberts chant. But I think for me, I'm more sensitive to my kids than myself, because this is what I signed up for," Roberts continued.

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Dave Roberts keen on splitting Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman

In the absence of Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani has been the leadoff hitter for the Dodgers. While things seem to be working out well for Ohtani, Roberts is keen on splitting the two-way star and Freddie Freeman by adding Betts.

"I think that what I do feel with Mookie being out, I think that I feel that breaking up Shohei and Freddie is something I'm going to do," Dave Roberts continued.

Roberts has great plans for the Dodgers and hopes that everything pans out well. At present, making it to the postseason looks pretty easy. However, it's the later knockout series that matters to the team.