The Los Angeles Dodgers just learned the hard way that even elite pitching won’t win you games without an offense to accompany it, dropping two of three games against the Miami Marlins.
After taking the first game 5-4, the Dodgers fell 2-1 and 3-2, squandering strong pitching performances by Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow.
In both of those losses, the Dodgers had chances to tie or win the game with runners on base in the late innings.
Kyle Tucker pulled through with a walk-off single in the first game, but the Boys in Blue were unable to convert those chances in the other two.
After the third game on Wednesday, manager Dave Roberts and Dodgers stars sounded off on what’s going on with their bats.
Freddie Freeman says hitting must catch up to pitching
In the clubhouse after the game, Freddie Freeman told reporters that the whole team has “been going through it” at the plate.
Freeman was among those who struggled the most on Wednesday, going 0-for-5. He also grounded into the game-ending double play.
“Luckily, we have really, really good pitching, and that’s kind of where we’re at right now,” he said, as shared by Fredo Cervantes of TheSporting Tribune. “We were good at the beginning of the season offensively, but we’re going through it right now. Our pitching has been amazing. I want to give them praise because they’re why we have a chance to win every single game, but as an offense we haven’t for the last few games been where we want to be.”
Manager Dave Roberts agreed with that assessment in his postgame press conference, saying he believes the downturn started during the Colorado Rockies series.
“I don’t think we’re collectively swinging the bats the way we were early… The last 10 days it hasn’t been synced up,” he said, as shown in video posted by SportsNet LA.
Top of the order is Dodgers’ biggest issue
While the whole team has been a bit out of sync recently, it’s the top of the order that carries much of the responsibility, said Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain.
“The top of the lineup really needs to stress the pitchers and be productive,” he said Wednesday. “You look at the box score today, Shohei Ohtani, 0-for-2, three walks, had a strikeout … but the big glaring one is Freddie going 0-for-5.”
McKain noted that it’s only April and this is a long season, but this result was far below expectations.
“Big picture, this is a Dodgers team that was a Kyle Tucker walk-off hit away from being swept by the Marlins,” he said. “Definitely not a good showing by the Dodgers against this team.”
About the Author
