PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – I wouldn't call it a rivalry or an ideal opponent, but Pirates manager Derek Shelton readily welcomes the challenge of the Dodgers.
"I'm excited about it," Shelton said. "I like when we play teams that are leading their division or are at the top of their division. I think it's important for our group. I enjoy these games. We are looking to have a good series with them."
It's not that the Pirates manager is downplaying their World Series title or the talent on their team. Quite the contrary, he's impressed with all the Dodgers have done.
"They're build right," Shelton said. "The guy who built them I'm very familiar with because he was in Tampa when I was in Tampa. They do things the right way. I think they look at things in a way that challenges people. Not only internally, but externally."
"If there is one that in general the Pirates can emulate. We have to challenge why we do things. How we do things. The ways we practice. The Dodgers have done a nice job of that."
"They don't just accept the norm and go with it. They are always looking for different ways to go about it. That's important in our game and that's important for what we are doing in building an organization."
It's been since June 6, 2018 or over three years ago that the Pirates even won a game against the Dodgers. Ten straight wins over the Bucs is the longest since the Dodgers moved to LA.
Maybe they are more susceptible right now, losing two straight and 6 of its last 9. They are however still the world champs and despite the Pirates winning ways of late, those victories are against Colorado and Miami.
"100% and I think it's important for our guys," Shelton said of facing LA in this series. "It's important for our guys to have these tests."
