Unlike Dodgers’ Roberts, bold predictions are not Lovullo’s style
LOS ANGELES – Back at Dodger Stadium for the first time since May, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo readily acknowledges how different his opponent is for this weekend’s fourgame series than it was back then.
“I think they’ve got, really, three new players,” Lovullo said. “There’s Manny Machado, Brian Dozier and also Justin Turner because Turner was out and trying to come back from an injury in spring training. We know they’re very offensive. They’re capable of special things.”
After the clubs split a two-game set on May 8-9, the Dodgers were just 16-20. They proceeded to lose the next six games, falling to 16-26, the worst start in the franchise’s 60 years in Los Angeles.
In late April, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts predicted that his team would win the National League West.
“When it’s all said and done,” Roberts said at the time, “the Dodgers will be at the top of the division.”
Roberts, who made similar statements last season, was asked about it again in mid-May and did not change his tune. Thus far, he has yet to be proven wrong, with the Dodgers running off a 56-35 record since May 17. They entered Thursday one game back of the Diamondbacks in the NL West.
Asked whether he’d ever utter such a prediction, Lovullo said it’s “not my style.”
“I don’t know what’s going on inside of their clubhouse or inside of their dugout,” Lovullo said. “I respect Dave immensely and I’m sure he has a good reason for it. …
“More power to him because he’s helped put his team in position to potentially do that. Knowing that he’s said that in the past and it’s worked and he’s the defending NL champion manager, I think he’s entitled to say whatever he wants. But it’s definitely not my style and not something I would say publicly.”
Minor trades
The Diamondbacks acquired veteran catcher Chris Stewart from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations, giving them the player who likely will serve as their fourth catcher once rosters expand on Saturday.
Stewart, 36, a career .230 hitter in parts of 12 seasons, comes with a reputation for being a solid defender.
The Diamondbacks also traded Triple-A Reno infielder/outfielder Kristopher Negron to the Seattle Mariners for cash consideration.
Notable players dot AFL rosters
The Arizona Fall League will boast real star power when play begins Oct. 9. The sons of two Hall of Famers, Vladimir Guerrero and Craig Biggio, are among the MLB prospects who will make up the rosters for the six clubs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio, both in the Toronto organization, will play for the Surprise Saguaros, along with Bo Bichette, son of four-time All-Star Dante Bichette. The following Diamondbacks prospects are assigned to the Salt River Rafters: pitchers Jon Duplantier, Kevin Ginkel, Tyler Mark and Bo Takahashi; catchers Renae Martinez, Dom Miroglio and Daulton Varsho; and infielders Jazz Chisholm, Drew Ellis and Pavin Smith.
D-Backs going to Mexico in spring
The Diamondbacks will play two games in Monterrey, Mexico, as part of their 33-game spring training schedule next year. Both will be split-squad contests on March 9-10 against Colorado. The opener at Salt River Fields is Feb. 23, also against the Rockies. Information: dbacks.com/spring