Everyone knows how this will play out — the way it plays out every year.

As the postseason approaches, the whispers will increase in volume. Eventually, they will become the story and all anyone will talk about is how Dave Roberts will be fired if the Dodgers don’t win the World Series.

The intensity of this speculation varies from season to season, depending on how much time Roberts has left on his contract.

In this case, Roberts has one year after this season. The conversations about his future will be louder than usual.

Which is a load of nonsense.

The Dodgers know what they have in Roberts, who now has a nine-season track record of nearly unprecedented success. Even if they falter in October again and upper management wants to deflect blame, there would be no upside in attempting to make him a scapegoat. Just like in the last couple of postseasons, the Dodgers’ likeliest playoff pitfalls will be the obvious holes on the roster, which the majority of fans are smart enough to recognize.

So why haven’t the Dodgers approached Roberts about a new contract? Why would they allow Roberts to be subjected to the kind of scrutiny that weakens him in the eyes of his players? Why would they give oxygen to theories that could only be a distraction for the team?

Just extend his deal already.

Asked if the Dodgers have considered doing that, Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, replied in a text message, “Doc is a big part of what we have accomplished in the past and we look forward to him being a big part of what we will accomplish in the future. Right now, all of our focus and attention are on doing everything we can to win a Championship this season.”

Again, why haven’t the Dodgers approached Roberts about a new contract?

Apart from four Negro League managers, no manager in baseball history has as high of a winning percentage as Roberts, and none of the four won as many games as Roberts.

Roberts is on track to lead the Dodgers to the postseason for the ninth time in nine years, and if that sounds boring, well, maybe it’s time to appreciate boring.

Consider the team’s current situation.

Tyler Glasnow, who is already nearing his career high in innings pitched, was blown up in a recent start. Yoshinobu Yamamoto hasn’t thrown a baseball since he was sidelined because of a shoulder injury. Walker Buehler isn’t even with the team, as he aborted his initial attempt to return from an elbow reconstruction and is working with private coaches in Florida.

Any other World Series contender would have been concerned, if not downright panicking.

The Dodgers? They’re behaving as if nothing’s wrong, even after they were beaten twice in a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

This unmistakable calmness around Dodger Stadium shouldn’t be taken for granted — nor should Roberts, who is responsible for shaping this environment.

The Dodgers have made 11 consecutive postseason appearances, but their history didn’t guarantee them being on track to return to the October stage. Look at what’s happening to the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers.

A billion-dollar winter didn’t guarantee the Dodgers any victories, either. Look at what happened to the New York Mets and San Diego Padres after their spending sprees in recent years.

The peaceful atmosphere around the Dodgers obscures a number of events that could have distracted, or even derailed, them. Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Shohei Ohtani to cover his gambling debts. Gavin Lux played his way out of being the starting shortstop, resulting in Mookie Betts taking over the position. Last month, Betts went down because of a broken hand.

Roberts kept the Dodgers in balance. He did so with his deft management of an old bullpen, by talking confidence into the likes of journeyman reliever Yohan Ramírez, by trusting an unproven starter such as Gavin Stone and by ensuring Miguel Rojas remained engaged enough to be able to step in to play shortstop when Betts became unavailable.

Before one recent game, Roberts accompanied Clayton Kershaw to the outfield, where he watched the sidelined veteran throw on flat ground. On his way back to the bench, Roberts checked in with utilityman Chris Taylor, who was batting .095 in the team’s first 64 games but over .260 since.

Roberts claimed to not be concerned about a new contract, or how the absence of one could shape the public’s perception of him.

“The right answer, or the honest answer, is that I’m focused on this year and winning a championship for the city of Los Angeles and the Dodgers,” Roberts said. “Obviously, my hope is that I could be here. I don’t want to manage anywhere else, so I hope things work out.”

Roberts shouldn’t have to hope. The matter should be resolved as soon as possible.

The last time Roberts was in this position was in 2021, the year after the Dodgers won the World Series. They were eliminated in the National League Championship Series that year after Max Scherzer couldn’t take the mound because the front office implemented an unnecessary plan for him to close out the previous round. Roberts’ competence was called into question as the Dodgers lost control of the series and speculation mounted over his future. The Dodgers ultimately extended his contract before his lame-duck season the next year, but not until late in spring training.

Unless the Dodgers think Roberts isn’t the best option to lead them into the future — and every indication is that he is — there’s no reason for them to let him be scrutinized that way again. It’s disrespectful to Roberts, and it’s counterproductive to winning another championship.

Pittsburgh Pirates phenom pitcher Paul Skenes has made it to the National League All-Star team, and with the selection comes new MLB history. 

Skenes became the first player in league history to be taken No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft and then named the following year to an All-Star team, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. 

Skenes debuted only two months ago, but the hype has been very real for the LSU product. 

The 22-year-old made his long-awaited debut on May 11 against the Chicago Cubs, where he mowed down seven hitters, while allowing one homer, six hits and two walks over his innings of work. 

Since then, Skenes has earned himself a 2.12 ERA over 10 starts, striking out 78 hitters with just 12 walks. Additionally, the Pirates are 7-3 in games he starts. 

PIRATES ROOKIE PHENOM PAUL SKENES MAKES MLB HISTORY WITH ANOTHER DOMINANT OUTING

“You definitely can’t expect it,” Skenes said of his All-Star Game bid, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I think it’s just a product of being present and doing the work that it takes, that kind of thing. The expectation was definitely to win the national championship when we were there. That was the only thing that we wanted to do. 

“But in terms of getting drafted first overall, getting called up whenever I was called up, and now the All-Star game, there were no expectations for me. It’s kind of just about doing as much as I can and allowing others to make the decision for me.”

Paul Skenes, #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2024 in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

Sporting a triple-digit fastball on the radar gun with some other nasty breaking pitches, Skenes has proven to be the young ace the Pirates hoped he would be one day. They are certainly not complaining that he is already making an impact in the bigs after needing just 12 minor league starts before his debut. 

“I think the thing we’re seeing with him is No. 1, he has really elite stuff,” manager Derek Shelton said of Skenes. “The things that we’re seeing on him is his ability to grow within starts. I think even the last two starts, the first couple innings he’s been out of sorts a bit with his mechanics, and we’ve seen him make adjustments and not let games get away from him. That’s a really rare thing for a young pitcher.”

There were several other firsts for National League pitchers alongside Skenes in this year’s All-Star Game, including Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott, Philadelphia Phillies reliever Matt Strahm and San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez, among others. 

Paul Skenes, #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates, throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2024 in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

In fact, each pitcher is either a first- or second-time All-Star except for Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale, who will be pitching in his eighth All-Star Game. 

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Speaking to the media for the first time since his postseason was cut short in the first round of the playoffs, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard said his injured knee was feeling good, allowing him to participate with Team USA in the upcoming Olympics.

Though the knee issues that caused him to miss the final three games of the Clippers’ series with the Mavericks were concerning enough that Leonard feared he could miss another Olympics, his return to the court over the last month have him reassured.

“I took the time,” he said Sunday. “I was able to turn [it] around over the last two weeks. I’m out here now and I’m having a good time.”

Leonard declined to comment about Paul George’s decision to leave the Clippers in free agency, initially saying he wanted to just answer questions about Team USA. Leonard later clarified that he didn’t have problems with George or his decision to sign elsewhere.

As far as his decision to play this summer in Paris, Leonard said the Clippers were supportive in allowing him to pursue something that he’s passionate about that he hadn’t been able to do previously when asked.

“I’m just able to play right now. So I’m happy to go out there … with these talented players and be able to learn something from them. … I’ve always wanted to play against other talent overseas and just other basketball styles and plays. It’s one of the reason why I love the game. We could all teach each other how to shoot a basketball, but all our jump shots are going to look different.”

Leonard, who has struggled with injuries throughout the second half of his career, said he’s disappointed he hasn’t been healthier, particularly last season when he tried “to play as much as possible.”

“[I] felt great and you know at a certain period of time I couldn’t go,” he said. “I tried the best that I could, but it’s just my journey. You know I don’t want to be in the situation that I [am] in, but I gotta take it for what it is. And you know a lot of people are watching. Supporters or doubters. But I motivate a lot of people.

“So I gotta keep doing what I’m doing.”