The Los Angeles Dodgers, a team known for their resilience and star power, found themselves on the wrong side of history Wednesday night, falling to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a game filled with unexpected twists and turns. The Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, known for his optimistic outlook, was left to swallow his own words after confidently declaring, “We had ’em on the ropes,” only to witness his team unravel in a 12-4 defeat. The loss was a stark reminder that even the most dominant teams can be vulnerable to unforeseen challenges. But this wasn’t just any loss. This was a loss steeped in historical significance.

The Blue Crew seemed to be in control early in the game, jumping out to a 4-0 lead before DBacks’ starter Cristian Mena could even record an out. However, Mena, making his major league debut, managed to regain his composure, and the Snakes’ bullpen—led by Bryce Jarvis, Kevin Ginkel, Joe Mantiply, and Thyago Vieira—put on a clinic, shutting the Dodgers out for the remaining 8 innings.

The home team, known for their potent offense, was left scratching their heads as they failed to muster any further runs. And their woes weren’t just limited to their offense.

Adding insult to injury, Diamondbacks’ slugger Christian Walker continued his dominance at Dodger Stadium, hitting two home runs and further acting like a thorn in the Dodgers’ hopes. Walker’s performance was a microcosm of the Blue Crew’s struggles against the Snakes, a team they have historically dominated. With each swing of Walker’s bat, Dave Roberts and Co.’s confidence seemed to take a hit, with the Dbacks’ belief growing stronger. However, his heroics weren’t the only factor that contributed to the Dodgers’ demise.

According to OptaStats, they became the 1st team in MLB history to allow multiple home runs before recording an out, then proceed to shut out their opponent and win by 8 or more runs. This statistical anomaly underscores the unpredictable nature of baseball and serves as a reminder that any team, on any given night, can defy the odds.

What does this loss mean for the Dodgers going forward?

After the game, a humbled Dave Roberts admitted, “We did a good job of (getting to) the starter, but then they went to the pen and got multiples from different guys. We just didn’t have an answer. They kept adding on, to their credit. We just didn’t threaten.”

Roberts’ words reflected the frustration and disappointment of a team that had expected to cruise to victory. However, in baseball, as in life, expectations don’t always align with reality and thankfully, the Dodgers aren’t a team that dwells on the past.

Los Angeles Dodgers eye redemption as Dave Roberts acknowledges reality

Despite the tough loss, the Blue Crew aren’t out of the fight—not yet. They can still salvage the series and avoid back-to-back disappointments after losing 2 out of 3 in San Francisco over the weekend. With rookie right-hander Landon Knack set to take the mound for the series finale, the Dodgers will look to bounce back and prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with. But they’ll have to do it without their star player, Mookie Betts.

Betts is sidelined with a fractured left hand. So, Dave Roberts’ decision had Miguel Rojas stepping up as a defensive stalwart at shortstop, providing much-needed stability to the infield. His performance has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season, and his contributions will be crucial as they look to rebound from these setbacks. But can Rojas’ defense alone carry them to victory?

The Diamondbacks will counter with Zac Gallen, a right-hander who has been dominant since his return from injury. Gallen’s performance will be a key factor in the finale, and the Dodgers need to find a way to solve him if they want to avoid an embarrassing loss. Will they succumb to the pressure and disappointment of recent losses, or will they rise to the occasion and prove they’re still the team to beat? The answer to this question could have significant implications for the rest of their season.

For now, it seems quite evident that the Dodgers’ road to redemption won’t be easy.