In a weekend series in St. Louis, the Los Angeles Dodgers ran into trouble that’s turned a mild slump into something a lot more serious. Even though they lead the majors in runs and have a strong batting average with runners in scoring position, the Dodgers just couldn’t get it done, scoring only once in eighteen innings against the Cardinals.
That’s left fans and the team scratching their heads, wondering what’s really going on as they look ahead to their next games.
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The Dodgers’ Offensive Woes
The series against the St. Louis Cardinals really put a spotlight on the Dodgers’ struggles to drive in runs. Over the weekend, they managed just one run—and that came on a wild pitch.
The slump isn’t just a blip now. The Dodgers have dropped three of their last four games and five of seven this month, and their batting average has slipped to .232 in June.
Missed Opportunities
The Dodgers keep getting hits and putting guys on base, but they just can’t bring them home. They went one for 25 with men in scoring position and left 21 runners stranded over the weekend.
Some of the most painful moments:
- Bases loaded in the third inning
- First two batters reached in the sixth
- Two of the first three hitters on in the seventh
- Two runners on in the eighth
Each time, nothing came of it. That’s got to be frustrating—not just for the players, but for anyone watching.
Manager Dave Roberts’ Perspective
Manager Dave Roberts isn’t panicking, at least not outwardly. He keeps talking about the ups and downs of the game, saying it’s important not to get too high or too low.
“We are getting hits. We are getting guys on base. We’re just not cashing in,” he said. It’s a simple truth, but it probably doesn’t make it sting any less.
Team Approach and Adjustments
Mookie Betts, always thoughtful, pointed out that the team needs a better approach with runners in scoring position. “We have to have a better team approach, especially with the guys in scoring position,” he said.
Betts had his second straight three-hit game, so he’s doing his part. He still believes the team can turn things around, reminding everyone that they started the season strong.
Pitching Performances
On the pitching side, the Dodgers have had some bright spots. Yoshinobu Yamamoto looked sharp, giving up just four hits and striking out nine in six scoreless innings. His ERA dropped to 2.20.
“That’s part of the game,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “Sometimes they have my back and then sometimes they struggle and I try to give what I’ve got for them, for the team.”
Relief Pitching Challenges
The bullpen had its own drama. In the eighth, reliever Ben Casparius rushed a throw to first and pulled Freddie Freeman off the bag, letting the Cardinals score.
Casparius owned up to it: “I kind of checked at third, bobbled a little bit. And then got sped up on that throw. Ultimately I should have held on to the ball.”
Looking Ahead
The Dodgers get one more shot to avoid a sweep against the Cardinals before heading to San Diego for a big three-game set with the Padres. Roberts sounds confident, saying, “We’ve got Clayton Kershaw on the mound and I feel good about the guys behind him.”
Still, with the bats as cold as they’ve been, Kershaw might need to be almost perfect to get the win. It’s a tough spot, but hey—baseball’s weird like that sometimes.
Key Takeaways
The recent series against the Cardinals really put a spotlight on a few things the Dodgers need to fix.
- Improving performance with runners in scoring position
- Maintaining a consistent team approach
- Capitalizing on scoring opportunities
- Minimizing errors in critical moments
With the Padres up next, these issues are going to matter. If the Dodgers want to stay on top in the National League West, they’ll need to shake off this rough patch and get back to what worked earlier in the season.
Want the full story on the Dodgers’ recent struggles? Check out the article on the Los Angeles Times website.
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