The Los Angeles Dodgers are navigating a critical period as multiple on-field problems have surfaced with just over a month remaining in the regular season. The team is grappling with offensive inconsistencies, defensive shortcomings, and bullpen instability, prompting concerns about their preparedness for the upcoming playoffs.
Manager Dave Roberts has reportedly adjusted his approach, moving away from a recent strict demeanor to foster a less negative team atmosphere amid the mounting challenges. "We had opportunities," Roberts told reporters following a recent 6-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers' offense has stalled, further complicated by a broken hand suffered by center fielder Andy Pages, which has sidelined a key hitter. Pages' absence, coupled with catcher Will Smith's ongoing minor-league rehabilitation assignment for a broken bone, has led to significant offensive downgrades with their replacements. Smith is expected to return with sufficient time to regain his rhythm before the postseason, but Pages may miss the remainder of the regular season.
These issues are amplified as some veteran players are experiencing declines in performance. Mookie Betts has shown inconsistent play, Freddie Freeman has not hit a home run since early July, and Teoscar Hernández has struggled offensively for the past two months. New acquisition Kyle Tucker has also underperformed.
In the last 30 games, the Dodgers have secured only three wins by more than two runs. Their average scoring rate has dropped to 4.2 runs per game over their last 39 contests, a decrease from the 5.3 runs per game averaged in the season's first 94 games.
The team's defensive performance has also become a point of concern, particularly noticeable in the games leading up to the All-Star break. With Teoscar Hernández in left field and Kyle Tucker in right, the Dodgers have two outfielders considered below-average defenders. A defensive miscue by Hernández in a recent game contributed to the team losing a lead.
Adding to the team's woes, the back end of the bullpen has faltered. The injury to closer Edwin Diaz, placed on the 15-day injured list, initially seemed manageable with available options. However, Tanner Scott, who performed well in Diaz's earlier absence, has struggled recently, losing consecutive games against the Braves. Furthermore, starting pitcher Roki Sasaki, who served as the primary closer in the previous postseason, will also be placed on the injured list with a ruptured blister on his pitching hand.
These combined issues have contributed to the Dodgers losing 13 of their last 15 games against teams with winning records. Their sole series victories in August were against teams with sub-.500 records, including the Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Atlanta Braves have closed the gap, now trailing the Dodgers by just two games for the No. 2 seed in the National League, a position that guarantees a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Despite the current struggles, the Dodgers' starting pitching remains a potential strength heading into October. Their projected postseason rotation includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, and either Shohei Ohtani or Tyler Glasnow, a group that could be historically dominant. However, if this rotation does not perform at its expected level, the season could face further challenges.