Can Dodgers pull off a historic three-peat? A-Rod, Papi and Derek Jeter discuss Los Angeles

Derek Jeter said physical and mental fatigue will test the Dodgers’ attempt to win a third consecutive World Series, while Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz discussed the pitching matchups and Shohei Ohtani’s swing in FOX Sports’ pregame coverage of Braves–Dodgers NLDS Game 1.

The panel’s discussion appears in FOX Sports’ video, “Can Dodgers Pull Off HISTORIC 3-Peat? A-Rod, Papi & Derek Jeter Discuss What Could Stop Los Angeles.” The segment also includes Mookie Betts speaking with Ken Rosenthal about the clubhouse and new teammate Tarik Skubal.

Jeter on the toll of another October

Asked about the difficulty of repeating the Yankees’ three straight championships, Jeter began with the extra workload.

“You know what makes it challenging is from a fatigue standpoint,” Jeter said. “You know, not just physically, but also mentally.”

He cited the Dodgers’ injuries and the effect of extending a season deep into October year after year.

“Playing that extra month every season, every season, it takes a toll after some time,” he said. “You gotta stay hungry. You gotta guard against being satisfied.”

Jeter pointed to Atlanta and the potential next opponent, Milwaukee or San Diego, before saying Los Angeles could still complete the three-peat.

Rodriguez also described fatigue as the issue he would watch if the Dodgers fell short. His assessment was about the team’s condition rather than a shortage of ability.

“If they don’t win, it’s not gonna be because of talent,” Rodriguez said. “It’s gonna, it’s gonna be because of mental and emotional fatigue.”

Betts on the clubhouse and Skubal

Rosenthal asked Betts what felt different about the team as its latest postseason began. Betts said the Dodgers had brought back many of the same players and described the group’s chemistry and mindset positively.

“Chemistry is great,” Betts said. “I mean guys’ mindsets are, are, are great.”

Asked what he had learned about Skubal during their time as teammates, Betts called the left-hander a gamer and said he helped energize the dugout even when he was not starting.

“He’s somebody you want in your clubhouse,” Betts said.

“He’s just an awesome human being,” Betts said, adding that he hoped Skubal would remain a Dodger for a long time.

Skubal received the Game 1 assignment. TSP’s report on the Dodgers’ rotation decision has the announced starter and manager Dave Roberts’ explanation.

The rotation order and Ohtani’s swing

Ortiz discussed how a short series can expose hitters repeatedly to an opponent’s best pitchers. The panel then considered the Dodgers’ order, with Skubal in Game 1, Blake Snell next and Yoshinobu Yamamoto slated for Game 3.

“You’re counting on your ace,” Ortiz said.

The discussion turned to Yamamoto’s postseason work and whether placing him between the two left-handers would have been preferable. The panel emphasized that questioning the order did not diminish Skubal’s ability.

Rodriguez then discussed Ohtani’s condition and described the batted-ball signs he would watch early in the series. He contrasted grounders pulled toward second base with balls driven in the air toward left-center. Those comments were the analyst’s assessment of Ohtani’s swing, rather than a new medical announcement.

“What you wanna see early is some fly balls or even double or home run to left center field,” Rodriguez said.

Ortiz described how discomfort in a left-handed hitter’s elbow could affect extension and contribute to rolled-over ground balls. The panel also considered the heat at Dodger Stadium and the need for players to hydrate.

The discussion was recorded before the game’s result. Follow Braves–Dodgers Game 1 here for the current score, scoring plays and pitching statistics.