Dodgers live with high expectations, Dave Roberts says — ‘That’s part of it’

LOS ANGELES Apparently, the sky is not falling.A payroll of nearly $400 million and the best start (8-0) ever by a defending World Series champion was followed up by a 2-4 road trip and, two days later, the worst home shutout loss in franchise history.

Its a combination that produced boos from the home crowd during the Chicago Cubs five-run sixth inning Saturday night and questions Sunday for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts about team meetings and ways to course-correct.All of this with an 11-5 record.No.

Im the only one.

Im 1 of 1 right now, Roberts said when asked if any other manager would get those same questions while sitting with an 11-5 record.

Thats part of it.

But we have a good team.

We have a great fan base who care, who are knowledgeable and want to win just like we do.As for the grumbling during Saturdays 16-0 loss, Roberts said the fans were justified in being displeased.Hey, they shouldve got on us.

We got our butts kicked, he said.

They had every right to get on us last night.High expectations are nothing new to the Dodgers, Roberts acknowledged.I do think that we feel certain expectations, he said Sunday.

Perfection is certainly hard to weve already passed that, right? by losing some baseball games.

I dont know.

I dont think we pay too much mind to that.

Weve still got a good ballclub.

Nothings changed on that front.COMIC RELIEFDuring his two innings as a pitcher in Saturdays blowout defeat, Miguel Rojas imitated the deliveries and mannerisms of some Dodgers pitchers Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Landon Knack and Clayton Kershaw.His teammates got an obvious kick out of Rojas impersonations and could be seen laughing in the dugout despite the lopsided score.

Some fans didnt appreciate the comedy in the midst of the worst home shutout loss in franchise history and expressed themselves on the post-game radio show.Roberts gave Rojas antics a modest endorsement after the game.I guess a little bit of levity in a game like that is certainly helpful, Roberts said.

It just shows he watches the game.FREE DAYAfter coming off the Injured List and playing back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, Freddie Freeman was not in the Dodgers lineup for Sundays game.

It was a planned off day, Roberts said.

Freeman was going to get either Sunday or Monday off.I wasnt going to play him six in a row (fresh off the IL), Roberts said.Freeman has played just five of the Dodgers first 17 games, missing time with a re-aggravated rib injury and a re-injured ankle that underwent surgery last fall.

He is just 4 for 18 (.222), including 1 for 6 with three strikeouts since coming off the IL.Its been difficult, Roberts said.

Freddie is wired very routine(-oriented), kind of linear in the way he thinks.

Being hurt, the start-stop, the IL certainly not ideal for him, or for anyone.

But hell get there.Its not perfect, his ankle.

Its sort of a new normal, in my opinion.

I just feel hes going to have to calibrate the new normal for his ankle.

But with that hell figure it out.

Hes going to throw out a lot of hits.UP NEXTRockies (RHP Antonio Senzatela, 0-2, 5.14 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Dustin May, 0-1, 0.82 ERA), Sunday 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AMRelated ArticlesDodgers blown out by Cubs in worst home shutout loss in franchise historyRoki Sasaki-Austin Barnes pairing is nothing personal, Dodgers Dave Roberts saysYoshinobu Yamamoto goes 6 innings as Dodgers shut out CubsDodgers Freddie Freeman returns to lineup, admits he needed time offTommy Edman has exceeded Dodgers lofty expectations.

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