“BEAT LA!, BEAT LA!” rang off through a raucous stadium that resembled more a game from October than just a meaningless game in June. The Padres just completed a sweep after former Dodger Manny Machado turned in another amazing defensive play in the series.
Meanwhile Dodger fans are making light of the celebration of Padres fans because they celebrated that last play like it was Game 7 of the World Series.
And the Dodgers players, with the exception of Trevor Bauer, are taking these losses in stride and that should be more of the concern.
The Dodgers looked great over the weekend sweeping the Diamondbacks, but it doesn’t take much, as Arizona proved they don’t care about winning when they allowed a limping Brewers player (Daniel Vogelbach) score around third without a throw.
Dave Roberts and crew should be taking a look in the mirror, because after showing up in the first three games against the Padres early on in the season by setting up their best pitchers and going 2-1 by playing with the type of intensity it takes to show the league and an up-and-coming team how to be a winning team, they have completely taken the foot off the pedal and lost their edge, going 1-6 since.
The Dodgers have spoiled fans by winning the last eight division titles. The only difference being that the previous seven titles resulted in playoff losses, including twice in the World Series.
The quest for a championship left hunger in the team to compete to get to the pinnacle of the baseball realms and finally bring home a championship. A team shouldn’t overreact to a mid-season series like this sweep by the Padres. But if the Dodgers want another division title and chance to play in the World Series, they shouldn’t underestimate the team from San Diego.
After playing the Cubs this weekend for four they will host the Giants before arriving at the midpoint of their season.
It’s another challenge to show how hungry they are to start the second half of their season. If they get swept again, it may show the glaring weakness of this year’s team.
Here are my top five concerns six games heading into game 81 and the end of the first half.
5. The Energy Kiké and Joc Provided is Noticeably Gone
Most fans would say they were OK to see Kiké Hernandez and Joc Pederson go because they deserved to play full time. But how many times this season have we missed Kiké’s energy in the lineup, or gotten that clutch home run from Joc?
Like it or not, those guys brought a lot to the table defensively and offensively. Even though Zach McKinstry brought that fun before he got hurt, and Gavin Lux’s tight pants power and fun reminded us Kiké, it hasn’t been as consistent as the past few years.
Joc may hurt the Dodgers in this current series with the Cubs after getting his ring last night, and wouldn’t that sting the fanbase a little.
4. The Bargain Bench Isn’t Producing
Remember when Andrew Friedman and Dodgers upper management used to hit the jackpot with pick-ups like Max Muncy, Chris Taylor, Brandon Morrow, Jake McGee, and Dylan Floro? These were guys that would come in and produce great results and show the potential they couldn’t on other teams.
Friedman has really struck out with Sheldon Neuse, Luke Raley, Edwin Uceta, Phil Bickford, Alex Vesia and Garrett Cleavinger.
The only thing that has saved Friedman this year is Albert Pujols, but just barely.
Maybe Farhan Zaidi should have gotten more credit for what he did with the Dodgers; look at the offseason pickups the Giants signed that have panned out the last two years (Kevin Gausman and Anthony DeSclafani to name a couple) and boosted them to the top of division.
3. Bullpen Woes
If it wasn’t for Jimmy Nelson, Victor Gonzalez, Blake Treinen and a rejuvenated Kenley Jansen, the Dodgers might be further back from the Giants. Last weekend’s game in Arizona proved what Roberts has had to deal with. Up 9-1 and Tony Gonsolin is still not ready to pitch more than three innings. He has to use five pitchers the rest of the way including Kenley Jansen to close it.
They are sorely lacking that middle relief guy that can bridge the gap to the back of the bullpen. If fans never have to see Uceta, Mitch White, Cleavinger and Bickford in high leverage situations again it will benefit the team.
A bright spot is Joe Kelly returning to his old form. Friedman needs to make a trade for Pirates closer Richard Rodriguez, or raid the Reds bullpen for help.
2. Injuries
It feels like Cody Bellinger has been on the disabled list and training in Arizona more that at Dodger Stadium this year. Losing Dustin May has put a hinge in both the rotation and bullpen. Then when last year’s World Series MVP Corey Seager went down for an extended amount of time, the offensive woes started to catch up to the team, especially this series against the Padres, and even more so in last night’s combined no-hitter for the Cubs.
Even Mookie Betts has finally started come around and be himself after early minor injuries.
The bullpen has suffered with Corey Knebel and Brusdar Graterol not being there to help Roberts manage late innings. Friedman has always given the Dodgers good depth and that’s why they still sit second in the NL West.
The Dodgers are going to need another midseason trade to help with depth.
1. World Series Hangover
The toughest thing to do is win back-to-back World Series, and the Dodgers are confirming how tough it is to do that. It is like the Dodgers for the last six years had been running a marathon and when they won the World Series they stopped and let the sweat dry, and now it is hard to regain that same intensity it took to win those division titles.
It is hard to blame them with all the success they had the last couple of years. But watching a hungry team like the Padres and Giants should scare you the the most, because they are younger and more energetic than this year’s Dodgers team. It is crazy that the Dodgers don’t have a walk-off win this year and how they struggle to win one-run games.
As Pete Rose once said, if everyone is playing 100 percent, he had to play at 110 percent. The Dodgers are going through the motions right now, and barely playing 100 percent, hopefully the second half will bring more of an intensity, or else the division title streak will end, and the team will be left with some big offseason decisions.
A short or no postseason run for the Dodgers and fans may never see Clayton Kershaw or Corey Seager in a Dodger uniform again; but another long run and they may keep them for another run for years to come.
