After rocking the rest of the MLB at the deadline by adding All-Star infielder Manny Machado and slugging second baseman Brian Dozier, the Dodgers were expected to further improve an already solid core and become nearly unbeatable. Instead, they’re now a pedestrian 8-8 since the break and have fallen to second place in the NL West.
Sure, the MLB has a 162-game season, and the Dodgers have proved that they’re able to face adversity, having overcome a 16-26 record to start the season, but still, there are some reasons to be worried about this current slump.
Bats are cold as ice.
The Dodgers have scored 2 or fewer runs in 6 of the 16 games since the All-Star break. They’ve nearly been No-Hit by Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb but were saved by a Chris Taylor, 2-out-2-strike single in the 9th. Despite two eruptions against the Brewers (21-5, 11-2), LA is consistently failing to bring runs in. The Dodgers are failing to deliver in clutch situations more than, well, the Dodgers come playoff time.
Sure, one could still argue that the team is just facing a prolonged slump, and that is understandable. New additions Dozier and Machado have performed according to expectations. Perhaps the main reason for this slump is that the three LA stars Matt Kemp, Cody Bellinger, and Max Muncy are hitting a combined .185 with just five homers and an astounding 54 strikeouts since the break. If the trio can regain their mojo, and complimentary pieces such as Kike Hernandez and Yasmani Grandal become consistent, then the Dodgers lineup will become terrifying again. As of now, the Dodgers ability to hit the ball has been as non-existent as Gary Sanchez’ hustle.
Starters imploding every other day.
Despite the bullpens’ complete dominance since the All-Star break, the starters can’t seem to pull their own weight. The problem with the starters has more to do with individual players struggling more than the unit failing to deliver as a whole. Ace Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood, and, the player most likely to make you go “How is this guy still pitching?” Rich Hill, have been outstanding since the break, each one of them posting a below 2.00 ERA (Hills’ ERA is even a tick below 1.00).
The problem has been in the back of the rotation, with rookie Walker Buehler, All-Star breakout Ross Stripling, and Kenta Maeda. Combined they’ve allowed 28 earned runs in 37.1 innings pitched since the break. If four of the six starting pitchers are in form in the playoffs, then the problem doesn’t exist. The thing is that in order to make it to the playoffs and win the division in the competitive NL West, the Dodgers need to be able to count on every starter.
The injury bug is starting to strike again.
The Dodgers have already lost All-Star shortstop and former ROY Corey Seager for the year due to Tommy John surgery. As if that weren’t enough, All-Star third baseman Justin Turner broke his wrist after being hit by a pitch in Spring Training and has struggled to stay on the diamond. Former rookie standout pitcher Julio Urias has been out with a shoulder issue since last season, and now, starters Alex Wood and Ross Stripling have been placed on the 10-day DL with hip and toe issues respectively. It’s not fair to blame injuries for the struggles, as every team has to deal with them, but it seems that the Dodgers have the worst luck of all.
Los Angeles’ struggles should have the fans worried, but there’s still plenty of time in the season to turn it around. With the star power and resilience the team has, I wouldn’t bet against them.
Twitter: @casiopersources