Dave Roberts spent his Friday afternoon reckoning with his team’s past while preparing for its future. When the Dodgers left home last Sunday, Roberts packed for a seven-day trip. He expected to return to Los Angeles after the final game of the regular season with his team’s sixth consecutive National League West title in hand. Members of his team wondered if they might celebrate as early as Wednesday or Thursday.
On Friday, hours before a 3-1 victory over San Francisco, Roberts and the Dodgers understood those aspirations were foolhardy. The team trailed Colorado by a game in the standings.