Dodgers' Dave Roberts Says He Won't Use 2004 Red Sox as Inspiration for Team Amid NLCS Deficit

Facing a 3-0 series hole after blowing a late lead in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, Dave Roberts won't return to the most famous moment from his playing career in an effort to help inspire a Los Angeles Dodgers turnaround.

Speaking to reporters after Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Roberts explained he doesn't plan to bring up the 2004 Boston Red Sox when he addresses the Dodgers before Game 4.

"I think they've seen the documentary," Roberts said. "They know it can happen."

Brewers have Dodgers' dynasty on life support

Roberts lives in MLB history forever because his stolen base in the bottom of the ninth in Game 4 of the ALCS between the Red Sox and New York Yankees helped them keep the series alive.

The 2004 Red Sox remain the only MLB team that has overcome a 3-0 series deficit. They rattled off eight consecutive wins between the ALCS and World Series to end the franchise's 86-year championship drought.

There are some similarities to be gleaned from that Red Sox team and this year's Dodgers. Both of them had key players dealing with injuries that left their status unclear at one point.

Curt Schilling had an ankle procedure during the series after suffering an injury late in the regular season. He famously pitched Game 6 in the Bronx with blood visible on the sock on his right leg.

Shohei Ohtani was reportedly uncertain to play in Game 3 against the Brewers due to his ongoing physical issues, though Roberts wound up keeping him in the lineup. He hit sixth in the order, his lowest position in a game he started since Sept. 19, 2020.

One thing the Dodgers can do to convince themselves a comeback is possible is look at the pitching matchups if they can get past Game 4. Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to start on Thursday.

If the Dodgers win that game, Tarik Skubal would come back on regular rest in Game 5 on Friday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, coming off the worst start of his playoff career in Game 2, would pitch in a potential Game 6 on Sunday.

Game 7 would be all hands on deck for both teams. Kevin Millar famously said "don't let us win tonight" in reference to Game 4 for the Red Sox because they had Pedro Martinez in Game 5 and Schilling in Game 6.

The Dodgers are down 3-0 in a best-of-seven series for the first time since the 1966 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. That didn't well for Los Angeles because the Orioles closed it out in Game 4.

Nothing the Dodgers have done in this series thus far indicates a comeback will happen, but Roberts knows better than almost anyone that it is possible.