After a hard-fought 2-1 victory to steal home-field advantage in the 2025 NLCS, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts joined the Fox Sports MLB crew alongside Derek Jeter, the five-time World Series champion and Baseball Hall of Famer.
During the segment, Roberts – who has managed the Dodgers since 2016 – couldn’t resist taking a lighthearted jab at the New York Yankees legend and the 2003 Yankees team.
“I don’t want to bring up old wounds for Derek, which I sort of do, because the guy’s got rings to cover up his whole hand,” Roberts joked.
“It’s like what the Marlins did to the Yankees back then – the bunting, the stealing of bases. That’s the kind of small-ball style the Milwaukee Brewers are trying to play now.”
Roberts was referring to the 2003 World Series, when the Florida Marlins (now the Miami Marlins) upset the Yankees in six games to claim their second championship in franchise history.
Jeter took the playful jab in stride, firing back with a grin:
“Hey Dave! First of all, I don’t appreciate that. This is the last time I’m talking to you in October – good luck!”
The Marlins won that 2003 series 4-2, outsmarting the heavily favored Yankees despite being outscored 21-17 across six games.
Roberts dismisses Brewers’ “underdog”
Roberts later discussed his team’s approach for the remainder of the NLCS against Milwaukee, while also responding to comments from Brewers manager Pat Murphy, who had tried to paint his club as a scrappy underdog.
“We’ve just got to stay true to our game – attack these guys and play fundamental baseball,” Roberts said. “All that narrative that Murph’s throwing out there, that they’re the little engine that could… we’re not buying it. We’ve got to play good baseball, and may the best team win.”
Before Game 1, Murphy had joked with reporters:
“I’m sure most Dodger players can’t name eight guys on our roster,” he said with a smile. “No offense – they shouldn’t have to. But hopefully, they’ll know our names by the time this series is over.”
The Brewers, who finished with MLB’s best record at 97-65, entered the NLCS confident after sweeping all six regular-season meetings with Los Angeles.
Blake Snell dominates as Dodgers win Game 1
But October baseball is a whole different story.
In a tense, low-scoring opener, Blake Snell delivered a historic performance, throwing eight shutout innings and allowing just one hit while facing the minimum through eight – the first MLB pitcher to do so in a postseason game since Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956.
Freddie Freeman broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run in the sixth inning, and Max Muncy added a crucial insurance run on a bases-loaded walk in the ninth.
That extra run proved vital as Milwaukee mounted a ninth-inning rally against closer Roki Sasaki, loading the bases with two outs. Veteran reliever Blake Treinen, 37, entered and struck out Brice Turang to secure the Dodgers’ 2-1 victory and a 1-0 series lead on the road.
Now, all eyes turn to Game 2 on Tuesday, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to start for Los Angeles against Freddy Peralta for Milwaukee in a marquee matchup of All-Star pitchers.
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