by Megan Garcia
It’s been a bumpy second act for the Dodgers after their historic start to the season. Now, after losing the Cubs 4–2 on Sunday, the Dodgers are focusing on how to get back to who they were.
The Dodgers are 4–6 in their last 10 games as they’ve lost three consecutive series to the Phillies, Nationals and Cubs. The Dodgers scored five runs in the series against the Cubs, while Chicago scored 20.
Entering Sunday, the Dodgers have averaged 3.38 runs per game since April 4. During their 8–0 start, they were averaging 5.63 runs per game.
“It doesn’t feel good. I think that’s what makes this stretch so frustrating” said manager Dave Roberts. “Because, if I were to sit here today, however many games we’re into the season, and whatever our win-loss is, I would have banked it at the start of the season.”
The offense had seven hits, three walks and seven strikeouts against Chicago starter Colin Rea and the bullpen in the series finale. They left eight runners on base.
“You also understand that it’s a 162-game season. It’s going to be like that. You’re never going to have every guy in the lineup be hot at the same time,” Kiké Hernández said. “We have more guys scuffling than we have guys that are feeling really good at the plate. It’s just one of those stretches right now, but it’s just a matter of time.”
The bottom of the order has struggled to fire on all cylinders. The №7, №8 and №9 hitters went 5-for-21 with one RBI and 11 strikeouts in the three-game series.
But as a team, the Dodgers went 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 20 runners on base against the Cubs.
“It’s just a bumpy two weeks. We have a long season to go and a lot can happen,” Mookie Betts said. “This isn’t the first time that we’ve (been bad) for two weeks. It just happens to be right now. We panic (and) things get worse.”
Tyler Glasnow’s six innings were a bright spot in the loss. He recorded his first quality start of the season after he gave up two earned runs in the six frames. He struck out seven and walked one batter while throwing 98 pitches and 54 strikes.
But now the Dodgers turn the page to the Rockies for their first National League matchup of the season. The Rockies’ 5.02 team ERA is the second highest in Major League Baseball, behind the Nationals’ 5.15 ERA.
“Different guys are going to do it different ways,” Betts said. “It’s early right now. It’s not (because) we’re not trying. We’re trying to get the job done.”
During the 2024 season, the Dodgers also lost three consecutive series between April 12 and April 21.
Dodgers drop series to Cubs as they continue to search for offense was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.