Slumping Dodgers fall to third place in NL West

Over the past three days the Dodgers have garnered a grand total of three runs on only nine hits which, of course, is why they have now lost three consecutive games and five of their last 10. As a result, and after being shutout by the National League Central second place Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night, they now find themselves in third place in the NL West behind the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.

Granted, you can certainly argue that newcomer Manny Machado continues to do well, but even his previously smoking hot bat has cooled off considerably over the last three games.

Here’s how the Dodgers have fared at the plate in their last three games, including nearly being no-hit on Sunday afternoon:

  • Machado:  2-for-10
  • Taylor:  1-for-12
  • Muncy:  1-for-10
  • Puig:  1-for-8
  • Grandal:  1-for-7
  • Pederson:  1-for-5
  • Barnes:  1 for-3
  • Utley:  1-for-1
  • Kemp:  0-for-10
  • Hernandez:  0-for-8
  • Bellinger:  0-for-7
  • Forsythe:  0-for-3 (traded prior to Tuesday’s game)

This is a collective 9-for-84, which equates to a combined .107 batting average.

But wait, there’s more.

Over those last three games, the Dodgers have stranded 16 runners on base and went a combined 1-for-8 (.125) with runners in scoring position.

In the last three games, Chris Taylor has left seven runners stranded on base, including six in Monday night’s 5-2 loss to the Brewers. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

If there is a silver lining to this otherwise very dark cloud it’s that the Dodgers oft-criticized bullpen has been doing exceptionally well of late.

In their combined 10.1 innings of relief over the last three games, Messrs. Daniel Hudson, Erik Goeddel,Dylan Floro, Scott Alexander, Pedro Baez, JT Chargois, and Caleb Ferguson have allowed only one run (Baez) and only five hits, while walking one and striking out 12.

Although starters Ross Stripling and Kenta Maeda struggled mightily on Sunday afternoon and Monday evening respectively, 24-year-old Walker Buehler was absolutely brilliant on Tuesday night and most certainly deserved to win, but for the ice-cold Dodgers offense behind him.

In his 7.0 innings of work on Tuesday before an anxious Dodger Stadium crowd of 44,818, Buehler allowed only one run on five hits, while striking out seven and walking none.

“Might be the first time in my career I had to look at my delivery, I’ve always been feel-based,” Buehler told reporters after the game. “First time I’ve done that and it made a big difference. I wasn’t pleased with my last outing and the one before that, went back to the drawing board and figured it out.”

Despite losing his fourth game of the season, Buehler’s outing on Tuesday night was, by far, his best of the season. (Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

As for Brewers left-hander Wade Miley, whom the Dodgers are all too familiar with having come from the Diamondbacks, he took full advantage of the seriously slumping Dodgers offense.

“Miley was typical Miley,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “It was a simple formula and he executed all night long. He didn’t miss to the big part of the plate.”

The one (and only) offensive highlight of the night for the Dodgers was when a horribly slumping Cody Bellinger hit what appeared to be his first home run since July 2. Bellinger’s blast was to the deepest part of Dodger Stadium and he stood in absolute awe as Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain timed his leap perfectly to rob the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year of what should have been his 18th home run of the season. Instead, it was the third out of the seventh inning.

“I said ‘Damn. That’s all you can say.” – Cody Bellinger, on Lorenzo Cain robbing him of a home run.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)

There is no kind way to put this, but unless the Dodgers offense gets back on track – and fast, they are in serious danger of falling even further behind the suddenly extremely red-hot Dbacks and Rockies in what has become the tightest divisional race in the MLB right now.

What do you say, Dodgers?

 

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9 Responses to “Slumping Dodgers fall to third place in NL West”

  1. It always makes me wonder, when the Dodger offense freezes up. Are they facing truly great pitching or they just can’t get any hits? I’m just hoping this isn’t mental.

  2. Should have brought back Van Slyke, just for this game! He raked against Miley, lol!!! Gotta sit down Bellinger, before it’s too late! He got hot about 3 weeks ago, but he seems to be lost again, continually changing stances! He hit the ball pretty good last night, but he still needs to sit!!! You hit , you play, make him earn it!!! Same goes for everybody else!!! Kike, 3-1 count, down 1 run, you would think he would take another strike, no no no, flailing away,and popping up!!! Make them earn playing time!!!

    • john sutton says:

      I agree. Make them earn it. Players are in one day and out the next. They can’t get any balance. I picked them 3 rd. in the West at the start of the season and I might be right. I hope I’m not. Stop moving players in and out. They need to be consistent.

    • Ron Cervenka says:

      I have a saying that I have long used (and I’m old):

      LOB = Loss
      Consecutive hits = Win
      Walks kill you

      It seems that our beloved Dodgers have forgotten this.

      Fingers crossed.

    • Herb says:

      Move Belli back to 1st base, Dozier at 2nd, Manny at SS, Max at 3rd, Kike as infield utility. Kemp, Taylor, Puig left to right with Joc playing left and center. When JT returns the platoon is between 1st & 3rd. JT gets regular rest, Belli gets his head clear and Max can relax instead of trying to carry the offense. Utley strictly PH. This way guys play 3 days and get 1 off. Just a thought.

  3. Rene Mora says:

    The problem is everyone is swinging for the fences…

  4. Clint Thute says:

    Bellinger needs to be in AAA. He’s awful. Bring up Verdugo and let him play C.F.. They look like a third place team…they have a 3rd place manager.

  5. Dodgerfan says:

    Too many want to be home run hitters

  6. Stan says:

    Should never let a player participate in homerun derby at All Star game. Check second half performance against first half.

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