Dodgers Swept By Diamondbacks in NLDS, Somehow Reach Newer Low After 2022 Collapse
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2023 season is over. After defying all odds and winning 100 games en route to their 10th NL West title in 11 seasons, the Dodgers lasted just three postseason games.
They lost Game 1 at home to the Arizona Diamondbacks in embarrassing 11-2 fashion. They then dropped Game 2 by a score of 4-2, wasting scoring opportunities in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th innings.
And Game 3 culminated the entire series in perfect fashion, as the Dodgers’ offense was shut out until the 7th inning on their way to a 4-2 loss that eliminated them from the postseason altogether.
After last year’s NLDS — one that saw the Dodgers lose to a team they’ve dominated for decades in the San Diego Padres — it was hard to imagine things could get any worse.
But some how, some way, the Dodgers found a way to reach an even lower low.
The Dodgers were swept in the NLDS by the 84-win Diamondbacks, and now enter an offseason with even more uncertainty than the last.
It was one bad inning that got to them on Wednesday, as starting pitcher Lance Lynn allowed four solo home runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning.
But it’s hard to point your fingers at the pitching when the offense was as dormant as Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman went a combined 1-for-21 this series, and they set the tone for the rest of the lineup as the top two in the order.
The Dodgers mustered just six runs in the 27 innings, which equals the total amount of runs the Diamondbacks scored in the 1st inning of Game 1.
The Dodgers showed fight in the top of the 7th inning with four straight singles by Max Muncy, Will Smith, Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernández. But Austin Barnes pinch-hit with two outs and grounded out to end the inning.
Then, in the 8th inning, Kolten Wong pinch-hit and led off with a walk, bringing the tying run to the plate in the form of Betts, Freeman and J.D. Martinez.
Betts struck out, Freeman struck out and Martinez flied out to shallow centerfield.
There are a lot of places to point your finger as to why the Dodgers lost this series. But in my opinion, it’s hard to look anywhere besides the offense.
You can’t score six runs in an entire postseason series and expect to win, and the Dodgers found that out the hard way.
Dave Roberts pulled all the right levers in the Dodgers’ bullpen to keep the team in this game, just hoping his offense would finally break out of their slump and show up in a big moment. But that just wasn’t the case, and it’s the reason the Dodgers are going home in their second straight NLDS.
Last year, the Dodgers felt peak embarrassment as they dropped Games 2, 3 and 4 to the Padres to lose in the NLDS.
But at least in last year’s NLDS, they were able to win a game.
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Failed season again , lets get ready for the excuses , injuries etc. it is time for a change Roberts era should end . You need to sign pitchers , third baseman , shortstop . If you do not win the World Series season after season with the most talented team then you have to look at leadership . AZ scouting was far superior , their manager was far superior and their less talented team was far superior . Unless there are big changes get used to losing to the Padres and the Diamondbacks . Very frustrating being a Dodgers fan since Lasorda was in his first year.
Truth of the matter is they don’t have any good bats besides freeman. Betts to me is going down.. it’s Ohani time!
Agree 100%. However we must give some credit to Arizona’s starting pitchers. For the last week, the Diamondbacks were a better team and the Dodgers.
Instead of winning 100 games and finishing as division champions, it would be better for them to finish as a wild card team so they won’t have a long break before they start the postseason. They do much better without long breaks as evidenced by their performance during the regular when they were able to sustain momentum and bounce back after losses with short or no rest. They are like sharks that need to keep moving or perish.
You lost to a team with 4 23/24 year olds in the starting line-up and a 24 year old on the mound. The Diamondbacks wanted it more. The dodgers think they can throw gloves on the field and win. You may spend money, but you will still be the low achieving dodgers
To my Friends don’t be so down on yourself and the team, LAD won the Division four straight times 100 plus games won which is a MLB record be happy for that, my team ended up in third place while AZ took second place and you Los Angeles Dodgers won first place at 100 games won. Now I cheer AZ because they’re in our division.
Gee I thought there were two teams in the game. Where’s the praise for a young, talented and hungry team?? Ok the Dodgers stunk but the Dback just simply outplayed them! Let’s give a little credit where due!!!!
How many more failures will it take to get rid of Roberts?? Please tell me how many more?? Any look at his post season record?? Please get rid of this man….
You must be new the Dodgers and baseball to feel that way.
I wish I could understand why so many Dodger batters chased pitches way out of the strike zone and struck out!
Let’s get real. Dodgers had too many flaws and never good enough to make the WS, let alone beat the Braves or Phillies. I say fire management for putting out a flaw product. Change is needed.