Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts issued a blunt assessment of his team's recent slump, demanding more urgency and focus as the club navigates a difficult stretch. After losing eight of their last nine games, Roberts acknowledged the team's current standing as a wild-card team and the potential danger of missing a first-round playoff bye.
"We gotta get going," Roberts stated before Monday's game. His primary concern lies with an offense that has shown a significant decline over the past two months, ranking among the league's worst in overall production since July. The team's struggles have been particularly evident against opposing pitching staffs that increasingly rely on fastballs.
"It never feels good to be bullied," Roberts said. "And to know that teams go after us with the fastball more than any team in baseball, that’s bothersome. That would bother me."
Despite the team's offensive struggles, which have seen their scoring and OPS drop considerably since the start of July, Roberts accepted personal accountability. He indicated that it is his responsibility to elevate the team's intensity and signaled his intent to manage with greater urgency. "Everyone’s trying," he conceded, "But I think the effort could still be enhanced and improved and more focused."
While the Dodgers rank fourth in scoring and second in OPS on the season, their performance since July has fallen to 24th and 21st in those categories, respectively. Roberts noted that the seasonal statistics do not tell the full story, emphasizing the need to hit fastballs effectively and make in-game adjustments.
The Dodgers' vulnerability against fastballs has become a glaring weakness. Despite facing more heaters than any other team in recent months, they have the lowest weighted on-base average against them. Roberts urged his players to take this personally and to adjust their approach at the plate.
On a more positive note, the Dodgers' pitching staff is showing signs of improvement. Tarik Skubal is set to make his Dodger Stadium debut, and Blake Snell is scheduled to return from the injured list. Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani are also progressing in their injury recoveries, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues to be a consistent performer. With the pitching rotation rounding into form, Roberts suggested that improved offensive production could help the team overcome their current funk.
Roberts recalled the team navigating similar challenges in the previous season en route to a World Series title, which tempers his immediate panic. However, he stressed that simply stating the team will be okay is insufficient given their recent play. "We put ourselves in this position," Roberts said. "[We have] a lot of talent. But I think across the board, we need to play with more urgency. And our guys know that."