WASHINGTON, D.C. — A way of quiet reduction percolated by means of the Dodgers’ clubhouse early Wednesday night.
That collective exhale, and the prospect of a contented flight dwelling, was made doable by the strain that preceded it. Down a run late to an inferior Washington Nationals staff, baseball’s fully-loaded juggernaut regarded in critical hazard of struggling an embarrassing sweep. Two losses on two ruthlessly chilly nights within the nation’s capital on the finish of a week-long East Coast swing had L.A. wanting ragged.
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However the Dodgers, as they so usually do, got here clawing again within the late afternoon gleam. A two-run seventh supplied a one-run lead, a lead L.A.’s bullpen preserved en path to a reinvigorating 6-5 win. A defensive miscue within the ninth opened the door for a Nats comeback, however an impressive diving play from Kikè Hernandéz stored the slight edge intact.
It marked the tip of a 2-4 street journey that might, at finest, be described as uninspired. The Dodgers scraped out a single win in each Philadelphia and D.C., wanting removed from the dominant, inevitable pressure that rushed out to a franchise-best 8-0 begin. Even the victories have been sloppy. Accordingly, the environment within the room Wednesday was removed from celebratory.
Little or no that occurs in April will affect what issues in October, as soon as the climate will get chilly once more and the video games have heft. In the long term, this loaded Dodgers staff shall be greater than OK. However seen by means of a vital lens, L.A.’s uneven, six-game stretch spotlights a number of areas for real concern.
Subpar beginning pitching
When two-time Cy Younger Blake Snell hit the IL on Sunday, that meant the Dodgers wanted a fill-in arm for Tuesday’s sport. That spot starter, Justin Wrobleski, was pulverized by the Nats for eight runs throughout 5 innings. Wrobleski was then promptly despatched again to Triple-A, swapped out for right-hander Landon Knack, who began Wednesday as a result of the Dodgers are limiting each Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki to 1 begin per week. Knack surrendered 5 runs whereas managing to safe simply seven outs. Solely a stellar, scoreless, 6⅔ efficiency from L.A.’s bullpen ensured a win within the finale.
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Altogether, Dodger starters had a putrid 7.01 ERA on the journey, an indication that the membership’s vaunted workers will battle throughout some small-sample stretches. Reinforcements will come ultimately; the injured quartet of Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, Emmett Sheehan and Tony Gonsolin are all anticipated again in some unspecified time in the future. Snell additionally obtained excellent news on his ailing shoulder — he’ll abstain from throwing till Monday — however an extended stint on the shelf stays in play. Bobby Miller, who was sensational in 2023 and abysmal in ‘24, is another choice.
Skipper Dave Roberts categorized Knack’s and Wrobleski’s struggles as outliers after Wednesday’s sport, however the duo didn’t precisely encourage confidence this time by means of the rotation. And whereas the 2024 Dodgers famously overcame an avalanche of arm accidents to boost a trophy in superb style, the staff’s pitching depth stays one thing to watch as this season inches alongside.
No Freddie Freeman
Not having a future Corridor of Famer, World Collection MVP, all-world slugger, and so on., accessible for your entire street journey was an apparent hindrance. Freeman, who reaggravated his surgically repaired ankle whereas slipping within the bathe final week, hasn’t performed since March 29 however is anticipated again when the Dodgers return dwelling on Friday.
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His absence pushed L.A.’s lineup from “awe-inspiring” to “extraordinarily good” and compelled Kiké Hernández’s below-average bat into the every-day lineup. With out Freeman hitting within the three gap proper behind Mookie Betts, each different hitter moved up a slot, kind of, weakening your entire order.
Freeman, who turns 36 in September, battled by means of a bevy of illnesses, together with a sprained ankle and a damaged rib, throughout L.A.’s World Collection run. The rib subject resurfaced in the course of the membership’s March journey to Tokyo, with Freeman a late scratch for Recreation 1 and a DNP for Recreation 2. This time, a freak accident at dwelling pushed him onto the shelf. Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts downplayed the severity of Freeman’s present predicament, and there’s an opportunity Freeman, lengthy one of many sport’s extra sturdy figures, stays wholesome for the rest of the season. However given his superior age, every extra journey to the IL ups the general stage of fear.
Unhealthy protection
Right here lies probably the most lasting and, doubtlessly, most damning space of concern. On Monday, the Dodgers made two errors within the second inning, resulting in a pair of Washington runs. On Wednesday, a miscommunication on a fly ball within the ninth gave the Nationals a window to make a comeback. The pattern dimension on superior defensive metrics stays small, however within the early going, the Dodgers grade out under common throughout the board.
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That tracks with the attention take a look at. Freeman, at first base, may be the one actually glorious defender on the diamond. Behind the dish, Will Smith stays a powerful thrower, however his framing numbers took a tumble in 2024. Mookie Betts’ transfer to shortstop is admirable, however he’s squarely within the backside half of shortstops when it comes to glove. Max Muncy is best than you suppose on the scorching nook, however it’s nonetheless common at finest over there.
And the outfield, a minimum of to date, has been a treacherous scenario. Neither Teoscar Hernández nor Michael Conforto has good vary within the corners, and Andy Pages has struggled with routes in heart. Tommy Edman’s defensive versatility is a humungous boon, and he’s a very good defender whether or not within the dust or the grass, however he can’t play in all places directly.
The Dodgers received a World Collection final season with just about this identical group. They may nicely slug sufficient to beat their fielding inadequacies and play crisp ball on the proper instances, as was the case in 2024.
However in the event you’re on the lookout for an Achilles’ heel, that is it.
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