Dodgers Rumors: Three keys to outlast the Rockies and Diamondbacks

3. Dave Roberts’ coaching

Dave Roberts is going to have to have impeccable coaching in order to outlast both the Rockies and Diamondbacks. Fans of the Dodgers seem to be torn on Roberts’ coaching; some love his knit picking, match-up driven coaching style. Others, however, seem to disagree with this style of coaching, instead wanting Roberts to go with the flow of the game.

Regardless of your personal opinion on Roberts, it is evident that his coaching is going to need to be grade A. The 2016 NL Coach of the Year honors is evident that Roberts can accomplish this feat, however, he is going to be even more strategic and brilliant than last year.

Last season the Dodgers were on the receiving end of some good luck, let’s be honest. If it wasn’t for the Giants historic meltdown the Dodgers would not have been able to take home the NL West Crown, especially considering the Dodgers were only up by four games to end the season.

Now Bud Black and Torey Louvullo are in the mix. Black is often regarded as one of the best coaches in the MLB, and has shown what he can do with a stacked offense. Louvullo, on the other hand, has only managed the Red Sox for 49 games back in 2015.

If the Dodgers are going to outlast these teams Roberts is going to have to be better than Black, and not make the same first-year mistakes that Louvullo might.