The first time the Dodgers played the Diamondbacks this year in a four-game series in Los Angeles, it was a lack of offense that prevented the Dodgers from winning the series. In a four-game rematch in Arizona this time around, Los Angeles simply got beat on both sides of the ball.
Whether Arizona exposed a potential vulnerability in the Los Angeles pitching staff — or whether the Snakes were firing on all cylinders with their bats — it remains to be seen what type of team the Dodgers really are right now. Regardless, the Diamondbacks outscored the Dodgers 29-17 over the final three games to capture the three-games -to-one series victory.
The lone win for the Dodgers came in the opener on Thursday night, powered by six strong innings from Dustin May and Freddie Freeman’s first long ball of the year.
The final two losses of the series looked very similar on paper. The Dodgers certainly scored enough runs to win in both contests, but the starting pitching was crushed by an Arizona offense that would not be denied.
Saturday’s 12-8 loss saw righty starter Noah Syndergaard surrender six earned runs on eight hits, as the flamethrower lasted just four full innings. Michael Grove’s stat line in Sunday’s 11-6 defeat was even worse, as the youngster completed just 3-1/3 innings, allowing nine earned runs on 12 hits and a walk.
Arizona featured a balanced offensive attack on Sunday that saw the lineup outhit the Dodgers 16 to seven. Designated hitter Pavin Smith did the most damage on Sunday, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Leadoff hitter and third baseman Josh Rojas went 3-for-5 with three singles and scored twice to pace Arizona.
Although it’s still very early in the season, there are a few apparent holes in the Los Angeles lineup that might be worth mentioning. Max Muncy — who has been the club’s primary cleanup hitter this year, has just four base hits in his first 33 AB this series, producing an ugly .121 batting average. Even though Muncy’s leading the universe in walks, his slump is overly reminiscent to the way he started his 2021 campaign.
And, while the Dodgers knew that Miguel Rojas wouldn’t come anywhere close to the offensive numbers they’re accustomed to seeing from their shortstops in previous seasons, the 34-year-old journeyman has gone just 2-for-17 in his early moments of 2023.
Similarly, Chris Taylor has opened the year going 3-for-24, despite two of those hits being long balls.
Next up for the Dodgers is a three-game set on the road against division-rival San Francisco beginning Monday. Scheduled to throw for Los Angeles are Julio Urias, Dustin May and Clayton Kershaw, respectively.