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Dave Roberts' cocky in-game World Series interview manifests Dodgers' clinching win

Emma Lingan
Emma Lingan

Dodgers Way

World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees - Game 3 / Al Bello/GettyImages

There was a certain sadness in Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts' voice when he spoke with FOX MLB insider Ken Rosenthal Wednesday evening in the visitors' dugout at Yankee Stadium.

The Dodgers were already down, 5-0, to the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series; it was only the top of the fourth inning. Starter Jack Flaherty lasted just 1 1/3 innings after giving up four earned runs – including back-to-back homers to Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. – and Roberts had already burned through three relievers in three innings. To make matters worse, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole had yet to surrender a hit to the Dodgers lineup.

So, the sadness in Roberts' voice was certainly justified. He told Rosenthal that his team needed to "keep grinding, keep taking good at bats and scratch our way back into this game."

Fortunately for the Dodgers, they had all of their relievers available for Game 5, but Flaherty's rocky start had put an early dent in their bullpen. How, Rosenthal asked, would that affect Roberts' pitching plan the rest of the way?

"We keep clawing back," Roberts said, trying his best to evoke confidence despite the apparent dejection in his voice, "But we still got innings. I'm going to do everything I can to manage for this one, and if there is another game."

Dave Roberts' cocky in-game World Series interview manifests Dodgers' clinching victory

IF?! What do you think you're doing, Dave?!

Remember, the Dodgers had a chance to put the series away the previous night with a four-game sweep, but the Yankees' bats came alive to force a Game 5. Now, just three innings in, it was looking fairly likely that they would be heading back to Los Angeles for a Game 6. It was, therefore, awfully bold of Roberts to say "if" in this situation.

But, then again, a little boldness can go a long way. In the Dodgers' case, it may have manifested them a World Series championship.

In the very next inning, the Dodgers' fortune changed dramatically. A series of defensive gaffes by the Yankees and a meltdown by Cole completely turned the game around, and the Dodgers staged a five-run rally. Suddenly, a blowout became a tie game.

The Yankees retook the lead on a Giancarlo Stanton sac fly in the bottom of the sixth, but the Dodgers managed to push across another pair of runs to take the lead for good in the eighth.

The largest comeback in a clinching game in World Series history, Los Angeles' rally gave way to a 7-6 Game 5 victory, a 4-1 series victory, and the Dodgers' first World Series title since 2020 (and first in a full season since 1988). 

Perhaps, as it turns out, Roberts' comments in the fourth inning weren't too bold after all. He was right this entire time.

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Emma Lingan

Emma Lingan

Emma Lingan is an MLB Staff Writer for FanSided primarily covering the Pittsburgh Pirates. She has been covering baseball for more than a decade dating back to her time as a student at Wake Forest University, and she has won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. National Team delegation (2016 Pan-American Championships & 2017 World Baseball Classic). A native of Washington, D.C. and current resident of Nashville, Tenn., she is also entering her seventh season as a credentialed NHL media member and currently covers the NHL’s Nashville Predators for The Hockey News. When she's not watching hockey, baseball or football, she enjoys podcasting, reading, going to the gym, consuming large amounts of coffee and taking long walks with her dog, Minkah. You can follow her @Emma_lingan on Twitter and Instagram.