NLCS GAME 3 GameThread: Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers’ skipper Dave Roberts admitted in an interview with reporters before tonight’s game that he is “guilty” of maybe not taking in and enjoying the experience of an exciting thing like playing in the NLCS. Roberts, a reporter noted, seems determined and a bit more serious-minded than his counterpart with Milwaukee.

“I probably am more guilty of staying in the moment, preparation, not enjoying the moment side of things,” Roberts acknowledged.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to go to the NLCS the last four years,” Roberts said, “... and had great moments going to the World Series last year. And even after the season you still kind of get ready for the next year.

“So I’m trying to appreciate the moment and the opportunity and the gratitude. But I think that players, managers, and the coaches are very conscious of keeping their edge and focus, and you don’t want to lose that. But as much as I say that, I just want to enjoy the moment, it’s real hard for me to lose that edge and just kind of be in the now.”

Craig Counsell, who’s experiencing this all for the first time as a manager, in his fourth year on the bench with the Brewers, talked before tonight’s game about the time he spent in LA during his playing days.

Counsell played 50 games in a Dodgers uniform in 1999 after he was traded by the then-Florida Marlins.

“I think I wore No. 30, which is what Dave Roberts is wearing,” Counsell said when asked if he had one memory from his time in Los Angeles that stood out.

“I’m not positive on that, but for a while I might have.

“Yeah, look, I was traded here or -- actually it was kind of -- maybe I was released, I don’t know. And I spent four months here and played with some very talented players, enjoyed playing here. It was a fun place -- it’s fun to put on the Dodger uniform. It was an honor certainly to put on the Dodger uniform. And so I do have some memories, I had to tell [Brewers’ PR Director] Mike Vassallo where the media room was and how fast we could get here today. I still have some local knowledge of the stadium, as well.

“Yeah, it’s a place that I’ve spent considerable time at. And I enjoyed my short time here.”

Which manager will get more enjoyment (and a 2-1 lead in the series) out of tonight’s game?

HERE ARE THE LINEUPS FOR GAME 3 OF THE 2018 NLCS: