The Los Angeles Dodgers are experiencing an uncharacteristic midseason slump, losing eight of their last nine games and 15 of their past 24. Despite team assurances of no concern, the team's recent performance has exposed potential weaknesses that raise questions about their World Series aspirations.
Offensive Struggles
The Dodgers' offense has faltered, ranking in the bottom 10 in both runs scored and on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) since the start of July. This is particularly alarming given the presence of All-Stars such as Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Kyle Tucker, and Mookie Betts. The team has endured a similar lull earlier in the season, raising concerns about the possibility of another prolonged downturn heading into the postseason.
An increasing reliance on fastballs from opposing pitchers has coincided with the Dodgers' offensive struggles. While they previously excelled against such pitches, since July, opposing teams have thrown the Dodgers more fastballs than any other club. In response, the Dodgers have seen their batting average against fastballs drop to the fourth-worst in MLB, their slugging percentage to the third-worst, and their weighted on-base average (wOBA) to the worst mark in the league. Individual players like Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, Mookie Betts, Andy Pages, and Freddie Freeman have seen significant drops in their performance against fastballs during this period.
Furthermore, the Dodgers are drawing fewer walks per nine innings from opposing starting pitchers. Since July, this number has dropped to 2.69, a notable decrease from 4.01 in the first three months of the season. This suggests the team is less effective at working deep into at-bats, driving up pitch counts, and forcing opposing starters out of games earlier. As a result, opposing starters are pitching deeper into games, allowing teams to better match up with the Dodgers' bullpen later on.
Pitching and Playoff Positioning
The team's pitching staff, particularly the bullpen, has also contributed to the slump. Since the start of their recent 9-15 stretch, Dodgers relievers have posted a 4.95 earned run average, the fifth-worst mark in MLB during that span. Closer Edwin Diaz has struggled since returning from the injured list, and other potential bullpen arms like Emmet Sheehan have faced setbacks. While the team anticipates reinforcements and potential shifts from the starting rotation to the bullpen, the current performance raises questions about their late-game effectiveness.
Beyond the on-field performance, the Dodgers' standing in the National League playoff picture has become tighter. As of Monday, they trail the Atlanta Braves by one game for a top-two playoff seed, which would grant a first-round bye. This diminished lead means the Dodgers can no longer afford to coast through the remainder of the season and must prioritize winning in order to maintain their position. This increased pressure comes as the team, with one of the league's oldest lineups and a pitching staff with recent injury concerns, faces the prospect of playing meaningful games for three consecutive months leading into the postseason.