Everyone expects a team with some of the best MLB players to dominate every time they take the field. However, that has not been the case for the Los Angeles Dodgers, especially after their humiliating 16-0 loss. Despite boasting a star-studded lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers have struggled miserably. It’s no joke that ever since they faced the Braves, their performance has gone downhill. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has finally addressed the loss, delivering a stern reality check to his team. 

Fans often recall how dominant the Dodgers were when they opened the season with eight consecutive wins. However, it all started during the matchup against the Washington Nationals, where their struggles were gradually getting exposed. While there seemed to be little cause for concern initially, the 16-0 loss against the Chicago Cubs proved everyone wrong. As expected, the Dodgers’ skipper did not sugarcoat anything but rather remained vocal about the poor offense and defense that cost them the game. Do you think that’s true?

In a game that defies expectations of all with highs and lows, the Dodgers faced one of the toughest realities in the history of MLB. “Obviously, it got really ugly towards the end, but we saved our pitching in a game that, you know, got away from us. So, I feel really good about tomorrow,” said manager Roberts. However, the problem wasn’t just saving their pitching; it was about maintaining the high standards set by the Dodgers. When there are big names in the lineup, expectations tend to be sky-high, and for Roberts, it’s all about winning games just like they did the previous season. Are those expectations too high for him? Perhaps not!

The Cubs certainly made a statement with their power hitting and precision. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ batting and pitching were rather dismal during the game. But what’s concerning for the Dodgers is that their starting pitching has been below par. First of all, they lost Blake Snell due to an injury, and when starter Justin Wrobleski replaced him against the Nationals, he conceded eight runs across the five innings he pitched. The Dodgers have even limited both their main pitchers, Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, to just a single start every week. But that’s not all!

Their World Series MVP and All-Star slugger, Freeman, is also sidelined due to injury, which has been a major setback. Without him, the Dodgers had to push Enrique Hernandez every now and then in the lineup, who has been anything but good, batting just .100 with a .159 OBP and .559 OPS. Although Ohtani tried to do his best, he hasn’t been in his elite form for some time now. This ultimately led to every player shifting up or down in the lineup, further weakening the offense and players’ hitting abilities.

Unlike last season, the Dodgers’ offense and defense have been quite inconsistent this year. However, the Dodgers manager did find a silver lining amid the dark clouds, and that was Sasaki’s development and Miguel Rojas‘ pitching. 

Dave Roberts talks about the silver lining of the game

There are moments in the sport when one might experience the unexpected, facing challenges that often remind us that past triumphs don’t guarantee future success. That’s the story of the Dodgers this season. However, amid the poor offense and defense, there was a silver lining in the game, and that’s Sasaki, who has been showing consistent development. When asked about Sasaki in a post-match conference, Roberts remarked, “Today, you know, the hope was he continues to build on the last start. I think for me that was the silver lining of the night, and probably the most important piece of the game was for him to get better, go deeper in the game, throw strikes, get strikeouts, and make soft contact.”

He also cited Yamamoto’s performance as an example. He excels at throwing strikes early in games and controlling his fastballs effectively. It could help Sasaki to learn and develop over time. However, he’s not the only one praised by Roberts.

The Dodgers manager feels a little bit of “levity” always works, as it impacts the mood positively, which Rojas brought. In the middle of the game, infielder Rojas imitated Sasaki and Clayton Kershaw to inject some light-heartedness into a gloomy atmosphere. Although it didn’t affect the game’s outcome, Rojas’ gesture lifted the spirits of fans and players. It shows that even in the darkest of hours, they have reasons to smile and bring smiles to the faces of everyone, whether winning or losing games.

Do you think that Roberts’ statements are true and the Dodgers have been poor in their offense and defense? Let us know in the comments section below.