If you would have asked most fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers if they would have been happy with a 6-3 record before the last road trip began, the answer would have probably been a resounding “yes.” And, although there are still some apparent weaknesses the club might address at the upcoming trade deadline, it’s certainly a good sign that Los Angeles was able to flex its muscles against a few of the league’s best squads, like the Orioles and the Rangers.
The Dodgers won the first two contests against Texas in this weekend’s series, but they couldn’t quite seal the sweep in the finale after falling 8-4. Starting pitching was the biggest part of the problem in Sunday’s defeat, as rookie righty Emmet Sheehan couldn’t survive four full innings after surrendering eight earned runs on eight hits and five walks.
Sheehan’s rookie teammate, righty Bobby Miller, was decent in Saturday’s middle game, notching his sixth win of the year while completing six innings and scattering three earned runs on seven hits with six punchouts. Righty starter Tony Gonsolin got a no-decision in the opener on Friday, throwing a not-so-impressive five innings and surrendering four runs.
The biggest highlight of the weekend, obviously, was the Los Angeles offense. First baseman Freddie Freeman was an absolute monster in the series, going a combined 8-for-12 with three homers, a double and six RBI, an effort that will undoubtedly put him in the running for National League Player of the Week honors.
The 33-year-old Freeman leads the team with a .993 OPS and is among the early candidates for NL MVP honors. Teammate Mookie Betts is also in the conversation with 27 long balls and a .949 OPS.
Another bright spot was a flash of pop from the struggling Max Muncy. After his average dropped below the .190 mark earlier this week and a demotion to a lower spot in the batting order, Muncy had one of his best games of the year on Saturday, going 3-for-5 with a double, a homer and two RBI. In addition, the 32-year-old lefty slugger was one of the team’s few bright spots in Sunday’s finale after hitting a grand slam in the first inning, his third four-banger and 24th long ball of the year.
Despite Muncy’s solid performance, it still doesn’t answer many of the questions about his reliability during the stretch run of the season. He remains one of the team’s streakiest hitters and sometimes goes weeks before showing any kind of life. However, when he’s seeing the ball well, he’s still among the MLB’s most productive hitters.
Regardless, the team now heads home for a three-game series against the Blue Jays beginning Monday, who currently sit in the middle of the pack in the American League East with a 54-45 record. After an off day on Thursday, the club will prepare for another three games against the surprising Cincinnati Reds.
Tentatively lining up to start against the Blue Jays are Michael Grove, Julio Urias and Gonsolin, respectively.
The 2023 MLB trade deadline is Tuesday, August 1, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.