Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) takes batting practice before a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on May 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Onsair, USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Dodgers were finishing up a three-game home series against the Colorado Rockies and then had to prepare to embark on a road trip to the East Coast.
This comes on the heels of a six-game series against the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets that were played in tough conditions for the Dodgers, who despite the road hold a sizable lead in the National League West and can tolerate some setbacks.
The Dodgers are on a roll after being swept by the Mets last weekend and coming off a two-game series against the Rockies, but Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group noted that the Dodgers' road trip is a bit unique.
“I guess it's kind of weird to go back after being in New York for a few days? It's kind of weird, but what do you do? You just have to go and keep going,” catcher Austin Barnes said.
The number of division games will be reduced as major league teams play each other, which means more travel and changes in game times, schemes and attrition.
“In my opinion, there's no point in putting any bad energy into it,” Barnes said. “You can't change the schedule, it's the way it is. Obviously, as major league players, we're blessed. The travel is a little bit draining, it's hard, but it's part of the job.”
The Dodgers' veterans are used to the new schedule and believe it's only going to help them stay healthy and available, a sentiment echoed by Barnes, who said it's part of being a major league player.
“It takes your body a little bit to adjust, but we've been at it for a while,” Burns said.
The upcoming games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees will be tough, which will add to the pressure for everyone to be at their best.
Despite the Yankees' star-studded lineup, the Dodgers' decision to take a day off before the back-to-back games is impactful.
Will the strain of the road affect the Dodgers?
The Dodgers have struggled offensively and will need a spark from their batting lineup to instill some confidence.
The team is still struggling with a lack of performance in the lower half of the lineup, but the usual suspects have been influential in good and bad times, and the team will need to step up on the road when putting together pitching staffs to face the Pirates and Yankees.
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