CINCINNATI -- His pregame media session on Saturday started with a question from the Dodgers manager, for a change.
"What about the National League West?" Dave Roberts asked the media, his Dodgers having won seven of eight while picking up only one game in the standings. Entering Saturday's game against the Reds, the club was tied for second place.
Roberts has never denied watching the scoreboard, even as early as June.
"We do pay attention," he said again. "We try to say we don't, but it's just natural. And one thing, as much as we say we pay attention, I don't think anyone here is concerned. Because we realize we're the best team. We have to go out and play, but it's clearly the best division in baseball. It's going to be a fun September."
Although the Dodgers have won the division four consecutive seasons, this year Colorado and Arizona join with the Dodgers to give the NL West three teams playing better than .600 baseball, while San Diego and San Francisco are below .400.
Roberts said he's not surprised with the quality of competition, even if the rest of baseball might be.
"Being in Los Angeles and being on the West Coast, we've seen how good the Rockies are and how close they were and we've seen the nucleus of the Diamondbacks," he said. "Maybe they are playing a tick above what people expected, but we know these are very good teams."