The Los Angeles Dodgers’ fans held their breath on Wednesday afternoon. Despite being a team synonymous with offensive fireworks, something different happened. All set to unleash their fury on the visiting Washington Nationals, they boasted the second-best offense in MLB. But this game was not at all about crushing homers and putting runs on the board.
The a well-oiled machine known to its dominance, created a scenario no one saw coming. A stunning 2-0 shutout loss. They silenced the usually raucous Dodger Stadium crowd but for all the wrong reasons.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Experience A Strange Slump
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The Dodgers’ offense, a force of nature averaging 6.3 runs per game just weeks prior, entered the game in a mini-slump. But they faced a relatively unknown pitcher in Nationals. It was starter Jake Irvin. Irvin quickly morphed into a Cy Young Award contender overnight. The outcome? The Dodgers were shutout.
The Dodgers were shutout for the first time in 262 days after falling 2-0 to the Nationals in LA. pic.twitter.com/OutRKrMi51
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 17, 2024
The Dodgers were baffled with a lively fastball and a deceptive mix of breaking pitches. The top of the lineup that initially boasted a combined batting average exceeding .340, was reduced to mere bystanders. The club managed a paltry three singles amongst themselves. This is not their usual dominance. Overall, the team could only get five hits. With that, they failed to capitalize on any scoring opportunities.
On one hand, Irvin’s pitching deserves a big share of the credit. On the other, the Nationals’ defense also played a key role in shutting down the Dodgers. Second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. turned into a human highlight reel. He snagged rockets that Freddie Freeman and Gavin Lux hit. With that, he turned key double plays to extinguish any Dodger hopes of a rally.
The Fans Express Were Stunned!
Fans immediately took to social media to express their views on how stunningly disappointed they were. While there were praises for both the Dodgers and the National, some criticism made it’s way in.
One fan ridiculed that the Dodgers fell to the Nationals.
By the Nationals 😂
— 𝒴𝑒𝓁𝒾’𝓈 𝐵𝑜𝓃𝑔 (@yelichfans) April 17, 2024
Another fans commented, “weird” looking at how the season started for the Dodgers.
Not gonna lie,
Baseball is kinda weird to start the year 😂
— Alex (RANGERS WORLD SERIES CHAMPS🔥🔥🔥) (@DFWAlex2289) April 17, 2024
More observations came in.
I guess Dodgers are deferring their wins too it seems.
— Skyline619 🧢 🇵🇭 (@robby619SD) April 17, 2024
Some fans called for the Dodgers to “wake up asap”
Bro my dodgers are not right. Need to wake up asap.
— y-Matt (@Desertcanuck) April 17, 2024
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This one among others showed hope that the Dodgers will move up.
And they’ll move up in the rankings
— wrhoden (@wrhoden89) April 18, 2024
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This shutout loss might sting the Dodgers. Though Wednesday’s play was certainly an anomaly, the Dodgers’ resilience is unquestioned. Only time will tell if this was a just hiccup or a sign of a deeper offensive slump.