When the Los Angeles Dodgers surprisingly exited the playoffs during the National League Division Series in 2022 and 2023, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shouldered much of the blame. Roberts appeared to be on track to receive the bulk of the blame once again three games into the 2024 NLDS against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers trailed 2-1, and the Padres trounced them in record-breaking fashion during Game 2 of the NLDS.
Roberts and the Dodgers rebounded, winning Games 4 and 5 to win the series and advance to the NL Championship Series for the first time since 2021.