Getting Back on Track
How the Los Angeles Dodgers can slide out of their early-season rut
By Ivan Garcia Contributor
After a 2017 season that culminated in a Game 7 World Series loss to the Houston Astros, the Los Angeles Dodgers came into the 2018 campaign with one goal: to return to baseball’s biggest stage.
Nonetheless, the Dodgers currently find themselves in a early-season rut. Thirty-two games into the 2018 season, they have an uninspiring record of 15–17 primarily because of injuries and a dip in performance from the offense and bullpen.
Offensive Issues
The few who have performed well at the plate include catcher Yasmani Grandal (.286/.383/.500, four home runs and 21 RBIs), outfielder Matt Kemp (.310/.351./.506, four home runs and 14 RBIs) and first baseman, and last year’s National League Rookie of the Year, Cody Bellinger (286/.336/.479, four home runs and 16 RBIs).
Because of injuries, 39-year-old infielder Chase Utley has also received more playing time, and has contributed offensively slashing .275/.378/.435 in 82 plate appearances.
Losing third baseman Justin Turner and second baseman Logan Forsythe to a wrist and shoulder injury, respectively, has unsettled the Dodgers in the beginning stages of 2018, forcing them to use backup catchers Austin Barnes and Kyle Farmer in the infield.
All-Star shortstop Corey Seager’s season-ending injury also remains the biggest offensive loss for the Dodgers, and how general manager Farhan Zaidi will ultimately fill that hole before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is still uncertain.
However, if the Dodgers want to play well into October, they will need outfielders Yasiel Puig (.193/.250/.250) and Chris Taylor (.242/.282/.428) to regain the form that they enjoyed last season, when both were key contributors throughout the season and postseason. They will also have to count on Turner to provide production in the middle of the order once he is back from the disabled list.
Pitching Problems
The Dodgers bullpen has also struggled for the majority of the season and hold a 4.37 ERA in 117.1 innings pitched.
All-Star closer Kenley Jansen has battled velocity issues, and in 12.1 innings he’s allowed 13 hits, seven earned runs and three home runs, with six walks and 13 strikeouts.
Ground ball specialist and left-handed relief pitcher Scott Alexander, whom the Dodgers acquired from the Kansas City Royals, had a 6.35 ERA and allowed nine walks in 11.1 innings before he was sent down to the minor leagues to work on his command.
Tony Cingrani, another left-handed reliever, has a 5.25 ERA in 12 innings, but has struck out 21 batters and only walked four.
Jansen, Alexander and Cingrani must all improve their production in order to stabilize the bullpen and help the Dodgers win close games.
The Dodgers starting pitcher rotation led by veterans Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, Alex Wood and Hyun-Jin Ryu have a combined ERA of 3.48, which is good enough for sixth best in all of baseball.
Although the left-handed Ryu is expected to be out until after the All-Star break with a groin injury, the emergence of talented rookie Walker Buehler will help fill the void in the starting rotation. Buehler helped the Dodgers toss a combined no-hitter against the San Diego Padres on May 4 in Monterrey, Mexico. In that game he tossed six innings, walked three and struck out eight without allowing a hit.
The key to climbing up the standings for the Dodgers lies in the improved performance of the offense and bullpen. Puig, Taylor and Turner can help turn things around at the plate. While relievers Alexander, Cingrani and especially Jansen must do the same from the mound if the team wants to make their way back to the World Series.
