Dodgers: Diving into the Disappearance of LA’s Offense
I feel like I have a case of Deja Vu having to express this thought yet again. It’s clear to everyone that the Dodgers offense has gone missing for what seems like the 100th time this season. Can someone put up a missing persons report or perhaps put together a search and rescue party?
I can’t say I didn’t see this coming since it’s been an issue all year long. While the pitching staff has been elite this year, the offense has not been which is a change from past seasons.
What’s the problem with the offense?
At first glance, the Dodgers have scored 6 runs in two games this series, that’s not terrible but it’s not great either, especially in the postseason. It doesn’t help when you leave 17 men on base in that two games and are only 2-18 (.111 batting average) with runners in scoring position.
They’ve also struck out 17 times in that span as well. What has worked for them though is the fact that they’ve drawn 10 walks. However, what good does that do if they leave them stranded out there on base? No team can survive if their offense performs like that. It doesn’t help that AJ Pollock hasn’t shown up this postseason and neither has either Turner for the most part. Meanwhile, former Dodgers Kike Hernandez and Joc Pederson are on fire for their respective teams.
The team performed similarly against the Giants which led to an elongated series that may have tired them out. Dave Roberts disagrees with the notion of his team being tired and out of fumes.
“I don’t. Two innings, obviously they’ve [Braves] had two big innings to take the lead and the series could be flipped. Like I said before, our guys are prepared to play through October. It was a great series, but I don’t think there’s any kind of effects from that past series.”
What else explains the lack of explosiveness or intensity from the offense? Sure the outcome of the past two games could easily be switched if the offense was awake.
Sadly it’s not.
Despite Roberts disagreeing with his players being tired, Chris Taylor actually accepted that as a possible reason for the lack of offense.
“I think we’re just tired … Physically and mentally these games. They’re four, five hours long. The level of focus is a little bit different than regular-season games. It’s definitely exhausting but that’s what you expect. I think everyone on this team has experience with it so.”
Even Jerry Hairston Jr. agrees with CT3.
Players maybe running on fumes. Shut mind down, press reset button & be ready to go Tuesday. #RepeatLA
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) October 18, 2021
Final Thoughts
While it isn’t the end of the world just yet for the Dodgers, they still have time to turn things around. They overcame a 3-1 deficit against a much better Braves team in last year’s NLCS but again their offense was producing runs then. Hopefully, the off-day will do them some good.
Related: A Deep Dive into Trea Turner’s Continued Playoff Struggles
MORE: A Deep Dive Into Trea Turner’s Playoff Struggles
Simple solution– Don’t let AJ Pollock, Steven Souza and Albert Pujols anywhere near home plate and move Trea Turner down in the order where he doesn’t have to get up with men on base.
Exactly
The Turner boys should be way down in batting order. Sorry guys but you have to produce, make things happen.
Adam, the elephant in the room…no Kike or Joc! Duh! In there place, Playoff loser Pollock and Trea.
Letting go of Kike Hernandez and Alex Verdugo in 2021 was a fatal mistake the Dodgers made. Now we get to see both of the excel on an American League Team. I’m happy for both of them. This move was made to make room for Gavin Lux and Matt Beaty. Both need more time in OKC. Lux for sure. He is not ready for the show. Not even close. What are they doing over in OKC. Is there anyone on their roster that can hit, run and catch ball with a half ass effort. I agree Pollock is aging out of baseball and want to spend more time with his baby. Trea Turner, what happened to him, he woke up one day and said “what am I doing here”. Ive seen better performances from community College ball players. Agreed Pujols is on the way out. Respect to him for giving it his all at the end. Souza ( OKC player at best) what else. I also think there is a bigger problem behind the curtain. There seems to be a dissension in the ranks with the Skipper. He is so wishy washy and this series 2 games against Atlanta has proven it. What a mess. He was throwing anything that would stick at game 2 of the NLCS. He is a mediocre manager at best ad is aged out of a game where he was a descent player, but never a manager. Dusty Baker is 77 years old. Was a Hall of Fame player and is a HOF manager. That’s no comparison by far but you get the point. While I am on the subject, Baker is going to be looking for a spot to settle into after the 2021 season. There’s a prospect. Bruce Bochy is looking for a home after a year of retirement. Although he may not care to consider LA because of the HATE and disloyalty of having to work for LA. That’s a SF Giants mindset, so childish.
Raymann, um hate to break the news to you but Dusty Baker is not in the HOF either as a player or a manager.
Ok I know you guys hate history but it’s just fun to compare:
Dodgers WS titles
1955 vs Yankees scores 5-6, 2-4 (down 0-2 oh no lol), 8-3, 8-5, 5-3, 1-5 (offense sucks lol), 2-0!
1959 vs White Sox scores 0-11 (offense sucks we will lose), 4-3, 3-1, 5-4, 0-1 (offense sucks, how does Koufax give up a a run he sucks lol), 9-3 (how the heck did we score 9 runs?)
1963 vs Yankees scores 5-2, 4-1, 1-0, 2-1 (a sweep? Guess Micky Mantle does suck)
1965 vs Twins scores 2-8, 1-5 (oh no down 0-2 we lost Two with Drysdale and Koufax?), 4-2, 7-2, 7-0, 5-1, 2-0 (Koufax pitching on 2 days rest? Are you craxy Alston?)
1981 vs Yankees scores 3-5, 0-3 (down 0-2 again?), 5-4, 8-7 (wow a slugfest), 2-1, 9-2! (4 straight!)
1988 vs A’s scores 5-4 (thanks Gibby), 6-0, 1-2, 4-3, 5-2
2020 vs Rays scores 8-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-8, 4-2, 3-1
Ok, so there you have it. Why did I go through this exercise? Two fold, one to demonstrate that with the exception of a handful of games, Dodgers have normally done it with pitching and defense rather than outrageous offense. Secondly, in three instances they were down 0-2 to begin the series and still found a way to win!
No need to panic here, lots of baseball still to be played!
For the love of God, please stop posting your sh!t.!
DF4L– Love your intensity for the Dodgers, those who haven’t followed them since the Brooklyn days don’t understand. This venue is also good for letting our frustrations go with a group that understands. Keep your posts coming, if it helps you, I know what it feels like. Those who post feel the same and its good to hear from all and their viewpoints (love to read them)and I certainly understand but the frustration from the Brooklyn days is a baseball life filled with many disappointments.
Thank you very much Koofoo. Sometimes I ask I myself why I bother to try and enlighten everyone about the history of the Dodgers. Quite a few young, classless punks here. It’s for you and other longtime Dodger fans mainly.
The Turner boys should be way down in batting order. Sorry guys but you have to produce, make things happen.
Dodger fan 4 life: Need someone like you to tell the way it was for the Brooklyn Trolleydodgers. That was a different game than what we see today. Comment on !
Way different! Unfortunately young people today were not taught like we were to respect their elders. And for that I am sad.