FOX Sports analyst David Ortiz stated that the Los Angeles Dodgers are in "deep trouble" following their second consecutive loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.
The Dodgers fell 7-4 in Game 2, managing only three hits against the Brewers' pitching. This performance added to growing concerns about the team's offensive capabilities in the postseason.
"I have never seen the Dodgers offense be this poor," Ortiz said on the MLB on FOX pregame show, a prediction that proved accurate for Game 2. Postgame, fellow analyst Alex Rodriguez acknowledged Ortiz's foresight, noting he was the only one at the desk to predict a Brewers victory.
Ortiz elaborated on his concerns, pointing to the Dodgers' inability to capitalize on opportunities. "They are 2-for-26 with men on base. I told you," he remarked, highlighting a critical statistical deficiency. The Dodgers' bullpen also conceded seven runs and 12 hits to Milwaukee, contributing to the deficit.
Even Yoshinobu Yamamoto, typically a reliable postseason pitcher for the Dodgers, struggled to keep the Brewers scoreless. With the series now standing at 2-0 in favor of the Brewers, the pressure intensifies as the series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3.
Star two-way player Shohei Ohtani has also faced challenges since returning from injury. In 16 at-bats leading up to Game 2, Ohtani hit .188 with three hits. During Game 2, he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, a performance that deviates from his established track record as a four-time MVP.
Derek Jeter, another FOX Sports analyst, agreed with Ortiz's assessment of the team's predicament. "It's tough, man. It's tough to turn your entire team around offensively when you're going up against a team like the Milwaukee Brewers… I agree, the Dodgers are in trouble," Jeter said. He emphasized the need for the Dodgers to "figure out how to string together some hits" as the Brewers' offense gains momentum.
Jeter added that overcoming this offensive hurdle is crucial for the Dodgers' aspirations of winning a third consecutive championship. Ortiz concluded by noting the difficulty of watching the team struggle to score runs, stating, "We know that the Dodgers are capable of scoring runs offensively, but nobody is hitting. The unexpected has happened, and they are facing good pitching. Like I always say: good pitching can always stop good offense."