Introduction to the Dodgers’ Inconsistency
Recent Performance
Now is the time, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes, for his team’s intensity to rise. And if the external pressures of a tight National League West race, postseason seeding implications and a looming World Series defense in October don’t do it, then maybe, he hopes, increased internal battles for playing time will. For a while on Tuesday night, in a series opener against the perpetually rebuilding Pittsburgh Pirates, the Dodgers showed fight. Clayton Kershaw gave up four runs in an ugly first inning, but the lineup clawed its way back to even the score — thanks, in part, to a 120-mph rocket of a home run from Shohei Ohtani in the third, his 46th of the season and 100th as a Dodger and a tying solo blast from Andy Pages in the fourth.
The Impact of Inconsistency
Consequences of Inconsistent Play
Kershaw, meanwhile, settled down to get through five innings without any more damage, retiring 13 of his final 15 batters to salvage something from his start. As the latter innings approached, it left the Dodgers in position to not only win, but build their division lead after the San Diego Padres’ loss on Monday. Alas, the bullpen faltered, with Edgardo Henriquez (who hadn’t given up a run in his first 12 outings this year) and Blake Treinen (who had finally started looking like himself again after an early-season elbow injury) combining for three runs conceded in the sixth. The lineup couldn’t overcome another big deficit, scoring twice in the seventh only for the Pirates to get the runs back in the next two innings.
Struggling Against Lower-Ranked Teams
Performance Against Teams with Losing Records
And once more, the Dodgers lost to a team miles behind them in the standings, falling 9-7 at PNC Park to drop to 4-10 in their last 14 games against teams with losing records. The Dodgers’ inability to beat bad teams has underscored a persistent issue with the team. They’ve been inconsistent, struggling to stack clean performances or any semblance of an extended winning streak. They’ve at times lacked urgency, failing to pull away from the slumping Padres in the division or get back in position for a top-two NL playoff seed (which would give them an all-important first-round bye in the postseason).
Areas for Improvement
Execution and Urgency
For all their efforts to rally on Tuesday, they also saw each of their three outfielders fail to snag catchable balls, an eighth-inning wild pitch by Anthony Banda led to one key insurance run and a general lack of execution cost them in other key spots (like when they managed only one run from a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the second). So far, neither a soft spot in the schedule nor the realities of the calendar have fixed such miscues. Thus, Roberts highlighted another solution in his pregame address — acknowledging that players who don’t step up their performance soon could see their playing time get cut as the roster returns to full health.
Roster Changes and Increased Competition
Impact of Returning Players
On Monday, when MLB rosters expanded to 28 players at the start of September, the Dodgers activated two key pieces from the injured list: Infielder Hyeseong Kim, who had been out since late July with a shoulder injury; and reliever Michael Kopech, who had been limited to eight appearances this year because of arm troubles and a meniscus surgery in his knee. Next homestand, more reinforcements could be on the way, with Max Muncy and Tommy Edman beginning rehab assignments with triple-A Oklahoma City this week. And before long, the Dodgers’ long-shorthanded depth chart could suddenly be crowded, forcing tough decisions to potentially be made in left field, at second base and in the bullpen.
Conclusion
The Dodgers’ inconsistency has been a major issue, with the team struggling to perform against teams with losing records. The return of injured players and increased competition for playing time may help to raise the team’s intensity and performance. However, it remains to be seen how the roster will shake out and which players will emerge as key contributors. One thing is certain, though: the Dodgers need to find a way to overcome their inconsistency and start playing with more urgency if they want to succeed in the postseason.
FAQs
Q: What is the main issue plaguing the Dodgers?
A: The Dodgers’ main issue is their inconsistency, particularly against teams with losing records.
Q: How do the Dodgers plan to address this issue?
A: The Dodgers plan to address this issue by increasing internal competition for playing time, with the return of injured players and the potential for tough decisions to be made in various positions.
Q: Who are some of the players who could be impacted by the increased competition?
A: Players such as Michael Conforto, Miguel Rojas, and Tanner Scott could be impacted by the increased competition, as they may see their playing time reduced if they do not step up their performance.
Q: What is the significance of the Dodgers’ performance against teams with losing records?
A: The Dodgers’ performance against teams with losing records is significant because it highlights their inability to consistently win against weaker opponents, which could be a major issue in the postseason.
