SAN DIEGO — The Dodgers head north to play the San Francisco Giants and that’s always a treat.
The Giants are picked by many to end the Dodgers’ string of three straight National League West championships. The Dodgers get their first look at the revamped Giants on Thursday in opening a four-game series at AT&T Park.
Manager Dave Roberts played for both teams and knows well of the rivalry. He’s impressed with what the Giants have. And with it being 2016, that makes them more dangerous. Their three recent world titles have come in even years.
“They score in bunches, they can pitch and I like their bullpen,” Roberts said. “They play the game the right way. It’s a team that the nucleus is pretty much the same guys that have won a championship and some guys have won multiple championships.”
The Dodgers are one of only two teams since the divisional format was introduced in 1969 to win three consecutive titles. That’s nice, but not as nice as getting the bling that comes with taking the World Series.
“To have been there done that, there is a lot to be said for that,” said Roberts, who played for Giants manager Bruce Bochy in 2007-08 in his final two major-league seasons. “We have done that in our own right, but to win the big one, they have done it.”
The Dodgers finish their first road trip in San Francisco before opening at home on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. But first comes the Giants.
“They are a dangerous team,” Roberts said. “They execute and are a good club.”